Palace on Rody ouster plotters: We’re watching you

MANILA, Philippines – While they may be miles away, they are neither nameless nor faceless and thus may be held accountable under the law, presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar said yesterday of the Filipino-Americans reportedly plotting to oust President Duterte.

Andanar said the administration has identified the people behind the plot to have the President removed from office by next year.

“We are aware of this and we have names, I’ve received names, but I’m not going to mention them because you know, I was also a journalist and we might be charged with libel,” Andanar told a press briefing yesterday.

“We have names. We know who they are. We are studying it. The warning is – just be careful in what you plan because it’s against the law,” he added.

Andanar declined to provide any clue about the identities of people involved in the alleged conspiracy to overthrow Duterte, but he stressed that “credible sources” provided the relevant information. 

“We are looking into it very seriously,” Andanar said.

“It should be serious for the entire nation, for the 91 percent of the Filipinos who trust the President. Remember that the President was also elected with over 16 million votes,” the Palace official said. Andanar said he is optimistic that any attempt to oust Duterte would never succeed.

“We have to confirm, we have to vet, but whatever they’re planning, just think twice because it is not lawful when you bring down a government. And rest assured that we will protect our President,” he said.

Last Monday, Andanar claimed that some Filipino-Americans were working to have Duterte removed from office by January 2017. He cited information relayed by a fellow Cabinet member who allegedly had received reports about the ouster plot in New York.

Duterte has drawn flak from local and international human rights groups for the spate of drug-related killings in the country. About 3,000 suspected drug offenders have been killed since the president assumed office on June 30.

The United States, the European Union and the United Nations have expressed concern over the killings and called on the Philippine leader to uphold human rights.

The President was unfazed by the criticisms, saying his bloody war on illegal drugs would continue until the last drug pusher is arrested or killed.

In his speeches, Duterte has said he is putting at stake his life, honor and his presidency in his vigorous campaign against illegal drugs. He said he does not mind losing even the presidency, as failure to curb the drug problem would compromise the future of the next generation. ?

Duterte has also alleged that “yellows” are out to discredit him so he would be removed from office. The President was referring to the supporters of former president Benigno Aquino III, who backed the failed presidential bid of his rival Manuel Roxas II.

Duterte claimed the tirades against his anti-drug war were part of the effort to impeach him.

Aquino’s allies at the Liberal Party have denied plotting an impeachment case against Duterte, saying such move is unlikely to gain the support of the public.