Duterte warns of move to oust him by October
DAVAO CITY – President Duterte warned yesterday of a unified effort from three groups that have connived to oust him by October. “Tatlo yan, bantayan ninyo. Yang (There are three, watch out for the) Yellow, Liberal (party), (Sen. Antonio) Trillanes, pati ang (even the) politburo (communists),” the President said upon arrival yesterday at the Davao In- ternational Airport from his trips to Israel and Jordan.
Duterte said he is aware of the plan of the three groups who have connived to oust him from power.
“I have my sources from other countries that provide me with the information,” the President further said.
Duterte said he has sources of information regarding the movements of the three groups toward the same purpose.
However, the President did not provide details of the plan of the three groups.
Duterte said the prevailing issues that have been hurled against his administration, including the reported rice shortage, the increase in inflation rate as well as other matters, were all part of the grand effort to remove him from office.
The President likewise accused Trillanes of having conspired with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in the senator’s desire to remove him from office.
“Ang problema dito kay (the problem with) Trillanes is he is also playing with the Communist Party of the Philippines, basta makuha lang niya gusto niya (just to get what he wants),” the President said.
But Duterte was quick to point out he is ready for any eventuality and that he is ready to step down from office when the time comes.
The President also explained that the military and the police do not have to kill each other should they want to grab power from him.
“I cannot allow my soldiers to kill each other just for them to oust me. They can even just have coffee with me and then I will transfer power to you without any trouble,” the President said.
Duterte also disclosed that he plans to meet with the military top brass to discuss the latest intelligence reports in his hands on this supposed October plot.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said there is no need for a loyalty check in the police force, saying that they have not monitored anyone from their ranks who are sympathetic to Trillanes.
He said the PNP remains loyal to the Filipino people and will always adhere to the provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
Trillanes claimed that some military officers informed him of their sentiments and expressed support after President Duterte revoked his amnesty for leading two failed mutinies during the term of former president and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
According to Albayalde, nobody from their ranks are dismayed or disgruntled at the government because of Trillanes’ current situation.
“We really do not know where he got that information but as far as the PNP is concerned, it’s zero,” he said.
Albayalde also downplayed the presence of police officers from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at the Senate where Trillanes has been holed up since Duterte’s proclamation revoking his amnesty became public on Monday.
He said the presence of the policemen at the Senate is just to maintain peace and order.
“A group might take advantage of the situation. That is the reason why we have a presence in the Senate,” said Albayalde.
He said they will not make any move unless an arrest warrant against Trillanes is issued by the Makati City regional trial court.
“We will wait for the decision of the court,” said Albayalde. –