Palace: No threat to Duterte’s life

MANILA, Philippines — There is no imminent threat on the President’s life, Malacañang officials said yesterday.

Even after President Duterte claimed the US Central Intelligence Agency is plotting to assassinate him, his spokesman Harry Roque Jr. claimed otherwise.

“There is none. The President as you know is not bothered by whatever threats against him. He said this repeatedly that if it is his time, it’s really his time. But I repeat, there is no such threat (from the CIA),” Roque said.

Roque stressed the President is just being fatalistic.

Duterte recently spoke about CIA’s alleged assassination plot against him and claimed the spy agency is listening to his phone conversations.

Duterte’s security officials, however, said they have no specific information about the supposed CIA plot.

Asked about the President’s health, Roque maintained the Chief Executive is in the pink of health.   

Duterte’s public engagements with local officials in Cebu City and his attendance at the 12th founding anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command in Panacan, Davao City showed that he is doing well, Roque pointed out.

Roque said these activities contradict reports that he has slipped into coma.

Duterte on Thursday laughed at the allegations made by communist leader Jose Maria Sison that the President’s health is deteriorating.

Duterte explained he would often counter efforts to discredit Sison to a point that he issues sarcastic responses when pestered about his health condition.

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Go also affirmed Duterte is in good health.

“You saw him (Tuesday), he was very healthy. He delivered a two-hour speech. I timed it, he was on stage for two hours. And he was able to say everything he needs to say,” Go said.

Go was referring to Duterte’s speech in Cebu City before the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

In his speech, Duterte chided Sison for reporting that he was comatose. 

Go said they were able to contradict Sison’s allegations by posting a photo and live video feed on Facebook showing Duterte in obvious good health.

Go also took a jab at Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who claimed that instead of being terminally ill, Duterte would live long because he was the proverbial “masamang damo.”

“Regarding what Senator Trillanes said, if he thinks he (Duterte) will not die (that) easily, he’s right,” Go said.

Go also stressed the Filipino people will ultimately judge Duterte’s administration and they will do so through elections.

Go was responding to statements made by former president Benigno Aquino III who urged those who dislike the Duterte administration to campaign for opposition candidates in the 2019 midterm elections.

“Let’s just let the people judge for themselves,” Go said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas.

“I think you feel it. Walk on the streets, see if your children are safe, if there are improvements. We don’t need to boast about the accomplishments of Duterte administration. Let the people judge,” he said.

Go urged the public not to dwell on the negativity of the opposition but on the positive changes Duterte has initiated.