A plot coming from New York is allegedly being hatched to kick out President Rodrigo Duterte from power by January 2017. And the plan is reportedly masterminded by some Filipino-Americans disgruntled about Duterte’s presidency, according to a Malacañang official on Monday.
Martin Andanar, Presidential Communications secretary, said in a radio interview that a Cabinet official visiting New York was informed about the oust-Duterte-by-January-2017 plan.
“May kausap po ako kani-kanina lang na kasama ho natin sa Gabinete at kinukuwento nga niya na, meron siyang mga nagre-report sa kanya, kuwento sa New York, may nagre-report din hindi ko na lang babanggitin, may nagre-report sa kanya na merong mga Filipino-Americans na kasama niya doon sa isang pagtitipon at ang kuwento sa kanya ay na-overhear sa isang teleconference na pinag-uusapan na ‘oust Digong,’ hanggang January 2017 na lang,” Andanar recounted.
(I was talking a while ago with a fellow Cabinet member who told me that someone reporting to him—I won’t mention who—told him that there are Filipino-Americans with him during a meeting and that something was overheard in a tele-conference about a plan to “oust Digong,” until January 2017).
“Sabi ko naman sa kasama ko, ‘Pare, siguraduhin mo iyan.’ Dahil sabi ko hindi biro iyong ganyang bali-balita, ‘no? Pero—but then again, we have to be very careful. Iyon ang mga kuwento,” Andanar added.
(I told my fellow Cabinet member, ‘friend, verify that information.’ Information like that is no joke. But then again, we have to be very careful. Well, those are the stories).
But Andanar put the threat aside, citing how the president has a 91-percent approval rating from the people early in his presidency. He also put the blame on the media for the image they project of Duterte in their news stories that reach abroad.
“If you have all of this news going around internationally, it does not help. Kasi alam naman natin na mainit ang mga banta doon sa banta sa Amerika – in the western world, ‘no? Mainit sa ating bansa ngayon. At medyo agrabyado tayo pagdating sa media exposure,” Andanar noted.
(We know how we’re being criticized in America—in the western world, right? Our country is not seen in a good light nowadays. And we’re not exactly the favorite when it comes to media exposure).
Duterte and his administration, along with the Philippine National Police, are all under fire from both the local and international media because of the extrajudicial killings attributed to Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. In addition, he was also heavily criticized for his invective in a statement about the possibility of US President Barack Obama’s questioning him about the said killings. This reportedly made Obama cancel a meeting with him in the recent ASEAN Summit.
About three days before getting information about the planned Duterte ouster, some members of media allegedly received invitations through a text message to a gathering at the EDSA People Power Monument to oust President Duterte.
The text message reportedly said: “Let’s converge, let’s unite vs Duterte. Please attend today’s rally at Edsa People Power Monument and let us call for his resignation. This will (be spearheaded) by Duterte Resign Movement, Magdalo and other political personalities. Walang alisan dito, tuloy-tuloy tayo. (We won’t budge. This will go on). Please pass.”
Source: (gmanetwork.com)
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