Palace: 'No basis' for NDFP claim of plot vs Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday dismissed the National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ claim that the US Central Intelligence Agency plans to oust President Rodrigo Duterte as a "pathetic" rumor.

 

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said rumors about alleged plans to remove Duterte from office have been swirling since he assumed the presidency.

 

“Rumors of attempts to overthrow the president has been around from Day One, okay. However, this latest twist... where they include themselves (NDF)... is an insertion of themselves into the plot,” Abella said in a press briefing.

 

“It’s rather pathetic,” he added.

 

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Abella said the supposed plot to overthrow Duterte has no basis.

The NDF, which represents the communist rebels in the peace talks with the government, claims that the CIA and the military have hatched a two-part plot to kill Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison and to oust Duterte.

 

Citing unnamed sources, NDF said the military would tap hitmen to assassinate Sison to demoralize the communist guerillas.

 

NDF also claimed that the military is seeking to oust Duterte for supposedly collaborating with communists, committing human rights violations and for betraying the alliance with the US and veering towards China and Russia.

 

Sison said he believes in the NDF report and is now taking precautionary measures.

 

The military has dismissed the NDF claim as propaganda.