DND chief confirms plot by CPP-NPA to oust Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — There is a plot to oust President Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed yesterday, but it is coming from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

The alleged involvement of the “yellows” or pro-Aquino groups and the camp of opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has not been verified, Lorenzana said.

“The destabilization plot is true, but it is coming from the CPP-NPA, which they hatched in 2016 and finalized in 2017. They have this oust-Duterte plan along with their supporters. I don’t know if other groups will be riding on this,” Lorenzana said.

Citing information from foreign sources, President Duterte disclosed the alleged ouster plot against his government by the CPP-NPA, the “Dilawans” (Liberal Party) and the group of Trillanes that is supposed to be implemented next month.

But just the same, because of the rumors, the defense department is continuously monitoring the security situation since some groups might capitalize on the current situation just to advance their personal and political agenda.

For several days now, Trillanes’ amnesty revocation by Duterte has triggered pro- and anti-government debates, with some resorting to name-calling in their social media posts.

Lorenzana likewise described as plain rumor talks going around that soldiers are now divided over Presidential Proclamation 572 that saw the revocation of the Aquino government amnesty granted to Trillanes.

His statement is meant to belie several reports that disgruntled active personnel are now throwing their support behind Trillanes.

“Within the organization (military) there is none (ouster plot of disgrunted soldiers),” Lorenzana said, adding that soldiers are in high morale because they are now enjoying good benefits, unlike before.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Carlito Galvez issued a warning to soldiers the other day not to engage in partisan political activities.

Lorenzana said Galvez issued this reminder for the soldiers to ignore those who might be out to politicize their ranks.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the police are still verifying the information that certain groups are planning to oust President Duterte by next month.

Albayalde said the President has unlimited sources of information and the PNP is just one of them. The information, which directly came from the Chief Executive, should be taken seriously, he said.

“We are looking into all these information. These are all serious allegations. Hindi namin pwedeng palampasin itong mga information na ito. Right now we are in the process of confirming and validating this information that we got. Hindi lang yan (Not only that), we take all the information that we get seriously,” said Albayalde.

When asked where the President could have gathered the information, Albayalde said “remember the President has unlimited sources of information.”

Albayalde admitted that at this time, the PNP is still in the process of validating the information.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has distanced itself from a reported plot to oust Duterte.

Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP spokesman and executive secretary of the public affairs committee, explained that while several bishops have been critical of the administration they would not join any move to destabilize the government.

At least two bishops – Broderick Pabillo and Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. – have supported Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and criticized the administration for voiding the amnesty granted to the senator and to have him arrested. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edu Punay