Palace dismisses June 12 destabilization rumors

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang dismissed yesterday fresh rumors of a destabilization plot targeting the government on Independence Day, even as it warned the public against “forces of darkness” seeking to sow chaos in the country.

Reacting to a social media post by journalist Ramon Tulfo, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said there was no confirmation of an alleged plan by supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte to “attack” Malacañang on June 12.

Tulfo alleged in the post that the Philippine National Police (PNP) had received intelligence reports of a planned attack on the Palace to be led by “a religious sect.”

“At this time, we cannot confirm anything about the alleged plans of the destabilizers on June 12. But these are not new because they have always wanted to install their power-hungry master in office even before 2028,” Castro said in a Viber message to reporters, without naming names.

The PNP also reaffirmed that there is no validated threat to the June 12 Independence Day celebrations next week.

“We reassure the public that the PNP remains ready, vigilant and fully deployed to ensure the safety and security of All Independence Day celebrations,” PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said after a meeting with top officials at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The Palace press officer, meanwhile, urged the public to remain vigilant against those who want to undermine the government.

“Let us all be aware of the forces of darkness,” she said, adding that the Palace is leaving it to law enforcement agencies and investigating bodies to act on these “illegal activities.”

No money for priest

In a separate development, Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. yesterday denied claims by 18 men claiming to be former Marines that money placed in an envelope was delivered to a priest near a church on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City, saying no Society of the Divine Word (SVD) church exists in the area.

“There is no church entrusted to the Society of the Divine Word on Mindanao Avenue or anywhere in its vicinity. Within the Diocese of Cubao, the SVDs are present only in the Sacred Heart Parish-Shrine in Kamuning, the Sto. Niño de Violago Quasi-Parish and the Divine Word Shrine along E. Rodriguez Avenue,” Ayuban said.

The bishop’s statement came after the 18 men claimed they delivered suitcases of cash to several lawmakers and administration officials, including President Marcos, and alleged that money in an envelope was delivered near a church on Mindanao Avenue.

Ayuban also warned against the spread of false information.

Meanwhile, the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation defended Magsaysay awardee Fr. Flaviano Antonio Villanueva after he was linked to the allegations raised during a Senate committee hearing.

“We categorically deny these allegations. They are false,” the foundation said. — Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso