MANILA, Philippines - A propaganda blitz meant to destroy the credibility of President Duterte may have led him to think there are destabilization efforts against his administration, his spokesman said yesterday.
“From his perception and what seems to be the conclusion that can be drawn, is that whatever noise there is – both local and nationally – seems to be instigated by certain parties and that is the perception of the President,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
“And basing on that, you could actually say that there might not be actual action on the ground, but there seems to be some form of propaganda that’s going out, that’s trying to… destabilize the credibility of the President’s administration,” he added.
He was downplaying the Chief Executive’s statement on Monday that some mining groups have tied up with the opposition in a bid to remove him from office.
Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo expressed doubt that any effort to destabilize the present administration would progress, citing the President’s high trust ratings.
“Like what I’ve been saying, any attempt at destabilization will fail because it’s very clear to them that President Duterte is dedicated to his duty,” Panelo said in Filipino.
The President’s popularity is even rising, he pointed. “We have a different kind of President. He is a president who is risking his life in everything basta masunod niya lang … masyado siyang ano eh, hindi lamang siya literal na sumunod sa batas (just to make sure the law is followed),” he stressed, adding that the primary role of the government “is to serve and protect the people.”
“You can’t sway him from those two principles – kill him, remove him, sue him, he will still stick to them,” he said in Filipino.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also said they have not monitored any destabilization moves – at least within or coming from the military.
“In the uniformed services, there’s none,” Lorenzana said in an earlier interview in response to reports on possible destabilization plots.
The military also said there would never be a coup against the President.
“No other commander-in-chief has shown his genuine concern for members of the uniformed services like he had. He always has ready ear for the military and unequivocally expressed his trust on our ability to secure and help our nation move forward,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
He said the President has endeared himself to ordinary soldiers, sailors and airmen with his frequent visits to military camps across the country.
Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief, also ruled out a coup against President Duterte.
“There is no reason for the AFP, comprising loyal military professionals who are bound by their duty to uphold and defend the constituted authorities, to betray their oath of allegiance,” Arevalo said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), for its part, is mum on reports that drug lords and some traders involved in mining are financing a destabilization plot against the Duterte administration.
“(I have) no comment at this time as I have no access to intel (intelligence) matters,” PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said in a text message to The STAR.
Other officials interviewed by The STAR said the PNP would definitely not allow any act of destabilization against the administration.
A police official who declined to be named said specific units of the PNP are now working to identify individuals suspected of trying to destabilize the government to protect their personal interest and businesses.
“The PNP will look into what the President has just said and the PNP will surely do what is required to do to address the destabilization plot especially if it will affect the lives of the people whom we are sworn to protect,” the official added.
“The PNP is in full support with the duly constituted authority which is the President.” – With Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe