Pinoys in US back Duterte’s programs – Abella

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos in the United States are supportive of President Duterte’s programs despite reports that some of them are hatching a plot to oust him by next year, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said yesterday.

Abella, who went to the US last week with Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., said the Filipino community has a “firm grasp” of the President.

“The Filipino community in San Francisco and New York has shown positive responses to the President. They are highly committed to the president in spite of the little bit of noise,” Abella said in a press conference yesterday in Malacañang.

“They continue to be upbeat on what’s happening to the Philippines,” he added.

He called the supposed destabilization plot against Duterte mere “rumors and whisperings.” 

“There were some noises but basically, they are noises at this stage,” he said. 

Last week, presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar revealed that some Filipino Americans were plotting to oust Duterte from office by January 2017. He said a fellow Cabinet member reportedly got the information in New York.

The report about the supposed plot came as Duterte is being criticized for the spate of killings of drug suspects in the Philippines.

About 3,000 suspected drug offenders have been killed since the President assumed office on June 30.

Duterte has said he would continue his brutal war on illegal drugs even if he gets ousted in the process. He said the next generation would suffer immensely if the drug menace is not addressed.

In his previous speeches, Duterte claimed that “yellows” – a term referring to allies of former president Benigno Aquino III – want to discredit him so he can be ousted from the presidency.

The Liberal Party, Aquino’s political party, has denied the allegation.  

Erap vs foreign meddling

Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, meanwhile, said he agrees with Duterte’s call for the US and the UN not to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs.

Estrada, who met with Duterte at Malacañang yesterday, pointed out that neither the US nor the UN has the right to tell Duterte what to do particularly on sensitive matters like keeping peace and order and fighting terrorism.

“Our country is an independent nation. They do not know our problems and yet they are asking us to stop the all-out war in Mindanao,” Estrada said in an interview with radio station dzRH. Estrada ordered an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) when he was president.

Estrada said the fight against illegal drugs and the need for more rehabilitation centers were among the issues he and Duterte discussed during their meeting.

He recalled then US president Bill Clinton had asked him to consider halting the military operations against the Muslim secessionist rebels.

“Let us not follow them. This is our own problem,” Estrada said, referring to the US and the UN.

Estrada reiterated that Duterte is on the right track in fighting illegal drugs, criminality and terrorism in the country.

He pointed out that lawlessness still persists in Mindanao because of the decades-long problem on insurgency, terrorism and criminality that Duterte is working hard to address.

“That is the reason why there is conflict in Mindanao. Mindanao is not progressing because infighting, shootings, kidnappings, different problems still exist in Mindanao,” the Manila mayor said.

“Tourism becomes weaker and the tourist does not want to come to the country because of fear of these problems. They are afraid to come to the Philippines and they choose to go to Malaysia, Singapore and other foreign countries. They are avoiding the Philippines,” Estrada said.

“We need peace and order. There will be no economic progress without peace and order. President Duterte is doing the right thing,” Estrada said.

He maintained Duterte knows what he is doing as he had been mayor of Davao City for 23 years. He said he and Duterte share many ideas and advocacies. – With Rainier Allan Ronda