PNP: No evidence linking Hidilyn Diaz, Getchen Ho to matrix

MANILA, Philippines — There is no strong evidence to link some of the new names tagged by Malacañang in a supposed matrix to oust President Duterte, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said they have no evidence against Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and broadcaster Gretchen Ho on their alleged involvement in the ouster plot. 

Banac said probers were still looking into the alleged involvement of other personalities mentioned in the matrix.

“Investigation is still ongoing,” he said.

The PNP was hands-off in the latest matrix released by presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo earlier this week.

Banac said they are still validating the old matrix that tagged lawyers and media groups to the destabilization plot against the administration. 

Women’s party-list group Gabriela yesterday urged Panelo to apologize to two sportswomen mentioned in an alleged oust-Duterte matrix he presented to media on Wednesday.

“Gabriela stands in solidarity with Diaz, Ho, Inday Espina-Varona and other distinguished women tagged in Malacañang’s matrix. We urge the Palace to withdraw the publicized diagram and apologize to Hidilyn, Gretchen and others wrongfully implicated in its fictional ouster plot,” the group said.

Ho, a volleyball player, and Varona are journalists. Diaz is an Olympian medalist-weightlifter. They have denied their supposed involvement in a plot to remove President Duterte from office.

Gabriela said Panelo’s revelations have put the lives of Diaz, Ho and others mentioned in the matrix in danger.

Panelo, however, clarified that Diaz and Ho are not part of any plot to oust the President.

Panelo said the inclusion of the two personalities in the recent diagram on the purported connection of Rodel Jayme, who allegedly downloaded the so-called “Bikoy” videos, did not mean that they were engaged in efforts to discredit  the administration.

“That’s not what the diagram says. It just shows that the account of Rodel Jayme is active and these are the people he follows,” he explained in Filipino.

Panelo maintained that the Liberal Party and Magdalo group are behind the moves to oust Duterte.

He said he would not apologize for the miscue on Diaz and Ho as he passed the blame to media for concluding that the two personalities were involved in the plot to oust Duterte.

Panelo cries foul over meme

Panelo cried foul over the meme posted on Facebook, which showed him endorsing opposition senatorial candidates.

The satire social media page, “Malacañang Events and Catering  Services,”altered a photo of Panelo during a media briefing where he presented the matrix of the supposed oust Duterte plot.

He called on Facebook to act on the political meme circulating online where his image was edited to make it appear that he was endorsing the eight Otso Diretso senatorial bets, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and labor leader Leody de Guman for an“independent Senate.”

“While we understand that the post is a political meme, which is the norm in this campaign season, it amounts to defamatory imputation,” Panelo said.

Panelo, who is also chief presidential legal adviser, blew his top over the malicious use of his photo for black propaganda and mudslinging ahead of Monday’s midterm elections.

“This is nothing but false news dished out by the supporters of the opposition,”he said.

He expressed concern that some netizens might believe the memes.

Panelo described the meme as a sign of desperation by some supporters of the opposition over the release of the matrix of purported destabilizers of the Duterte administration.

“Supporters of the opposition are desperate as the election day approaches,” he said. – With Jess Diaz, Christina Mendez