NATIONAL Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has downplayed alleged plans of certain groups to oust President Rodrigo Duterte from the presidency.
“If there is, they have to reckon with the 91-percent supporters of the President. We are not worried,” Esperon told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Café Adriatico on Wednesday.
Esperon said: “What is to worry about, [Edgar] Matobato? He has 15 issues that are wrong. He is not even a Cafgu (the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit). We have reports. But we do not want to be very over suspicious.
“Are they basing their destabilization on Matobato? It’s so shallow. Are they basing it on the [extrajudicial killings] issue? We will come up with a report. Give us time [to announce the report].”
He added: “Don’t believe that we are like having a 1986 revolution. This is just the beginning. Will the ouster plot succeed? Their basis [of ouster moves] are all lies.
“We are not looking at political [personalities]. We are focusing on criminals. We are not afraid [of destabilization].”
Esperon also asked: “Why is it that before Matobato went to the [Senate] hearing he had already an interview with New York Times newspaper? Who is trying to destabilize? We are not suspecting [any group]. But there are those who have interests.”
Esperon refused to confirm or deny whether the “yellowtards” or the Liberal Party were part of the plot to destabilize the government, saying security authorities would come out with a report soon.
Several Filipino-Americans are reportedly planning to oust President Duterte from office, a Malacañang official said Monday, citing information from New York.
In a radio interview, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said a fellow Cabinet member who was in New York was told that some Filipino-Americans want Duterte out by January 2017.
While Andanar said the ouster plot seemed unlikely, given that Duterte received a 91-percent trust rating early in his presidency, he also blamed the media for the kind of news that reaches foreign shores.
“If you have all of this news going around internationally, it does not help,” he said.
Duterte has been under fire, both locally and internationally, for the extrajudicial killings being linked to his campaign against illegal drugs.
He was also criticized heavily for his tirade against US President Barack Obama, who in response canceled a meeting with him during the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos.
Andanar’s statement came three days after some members of the press were invited via text message to meet up at EDSA People Power Monument to ask Duterte to step down from office.
“Let’s converge, let’s unite vs Duterte. Please attend today’s rally at Edsa People Power Monument and let us call for his resignation. This will spearhead by (sic) Duterte Resign Movement, Magdalo and other political personalities…Please pass,” the text message read.
Andanar said the plans to destabilize Duterte’s government are unfair considering the President was elected by the people. He also urged those who knew of such moves to get in touch with him.
