Duterte: Reds, Magdalo, political rivals plotting to oust me

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he has evidence to prove that his political opponents, the communists, and the Magdalo group were conspiring to overthrow him.

“Alam mo si Sison pati itong Magdalo, pati itong mga ayaw sa akin, ‘yung mga hindi tumanggap sa akin (You know Sison, and this Magdalo and also those people who don’t like me) ever since the election, they have combined. And we have the evidence and we have the conversation provided by a foreign country sympathetic to us,” Duterte said in a televised interview with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.

Duterte was referring to Jose Ma. Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP); the Magdalo, a group of rebel soldiers who railed about anomalies in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); and his political rivals.

The President said he has requested the documents to be declassified so it can be made public.

“We do not have that sophistication na — but meron (there is) and the connection will be shown maybe any day now,” Duterte said.

“I asked that it be declassified at ipakita nila sa lahat. Nahihigop lahat eh (and be shown to everybody). Alam nila ‘yan (They know it). Nahihigop lahat (Everything is tapped). So they were in constant communication,” he also said, referring to the evidence he has against his alleged destabilizers.

“It might be a loose conspiracy but they are into it. Sabay-sabay sila,” he added.

Warning military

In his one-on-one interview with his legal counsel, Mr. Duterte even dared the military to join Trillanes in his ouster plot if they no longer have confidence in him. 

“Iyong kayong may nakita at nakita ninyong may gawa, may ginawa si Trillanes para sa inyo (You who believe that Trillanes has done something for you), go to them and stage a mutiny or revolution or whatever,” he said. “You are free to do that. As a matter of fact, I’m encouraging you, para tapos na (so this will end).”

But Duterte warned the military conniving with the Magdalo group. 

“Ang sinasabi ko lang sa sundalo ng Republika ng Pilipinas (What I am just saying to soldiers of the Republic of the Philippines): Just be careful, Just be careful na ‘yung pagsabwatan ninyo diyan sa Magdalo (about your connivance with Magdalo),” he said.

“Because – Magdalo is not all in agreement in membership to destabilize or overthrow the government,” he also said.

He further said he has discussed with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during a command conference that it was “fine” with him if the military wanted another president.

“I have stated my clear – I said my clear stand on the matter. If the Armed Forces think that I am not competent, that I am not qualified to be sitting here as President, I have discussed this matter with them in a command conference,” he revealed.

“Bahala kayo (It’s up to you). If you want another President, fine. I will not allow you to fight your own soldiers,” he added.  /kga