MANILA, Philippines — The list of groups and individuals allegedly planning to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte released by his son reflected the “sorry state” of intelligence gathering in the country, Sen. Nancy Binay said.
Binay issued the statement a few days after former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte posted screenshots of an Excel file that allegedly showed an “Anti Administration Group” plotting to oust his father.
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The list, which was posted without supporting evidence, tagged Vice President Leni Robredo as the supposed leader of a “United Opposition” allegedly working with leftist groups and “mutant/cause-oriented groups.”
The senator’s father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, was also named in the list.
Binay slammed Paolo’s list for its lack of accuracy and validation.
“It’s painfully evident that basic intel is lacking at present. The supposed list in connection with the alleged destabilization plot against the president reflects the sorry state of state intelligence and counterintelligence structures,” she said.
The senator said she will ask her colleagues in the Senate to provide additional budget to intelligence agencies following the release of the supposed “Oust Duterte Movement” list.
“I feel sorry for the agency that gave intel report to the [former] vice mayor. I think they need assistance to improve the level of their intel capabilities,” Binay said in a mix of English and Filipino.
But she stressed that intelligence and security failures are “unacceptable” when government agencies and offices are given multi-billion peso budget for intelligence.
Robredo earlier called out the presidential son’s list for being “irresponsible.”
The supposed list also mentioned Jollibee Food Corp., PLDT, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, journalists Maria Ressa, Ed Lingao, Ellen Tordesillas, several members of the Aquino cabinet, among others.
It also named a dead bishop on its roster.
But presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the disputed list is an example of “freedom of expression.”
He also said that Paolo’s posting of the list was a son’s defense of his father.