Oust-Duterte moves bound to fail — PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines — Attempts to oust President Duterte are bound to fail due to lack of support from state security forces and the Chief Executive’s popularity, according to Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

Gamboa yesterday downplayed the possibility that certain sectors critical of Duterte may take advantage of festivities commemorating the EDSA People Power Revolution today to overthrow the administration.

He said any attempt to oust Duterte from office will never succeed as long as the police and military withhold support.

“If it is without military and police backing, that will never succeed,” he said told reporters on the sidelines of his command visit to the Police Regional Office Cordillera in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Gamboa said despite criticisms, Duterte remains popular among the majority of Filipinos.

“It’s been more than three years since he sat down (as President) and his rating didn’t go down. It even went up,” the PNP chief pointed out.

“So, how can you muster an ouster movement if the showing of the President is like that?” he asked.

He said critics of the administration are free to hold mass actions to commemorate the bloodless revolution that ousted the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1986.

“This is a free country, we can exercise our freedom of expression but, of course, under different limitations as provided for by law,” he said.

While the PNP has not received specific threats, Gamboa directed the police to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of participants in today’s activities.