Success of oust-Duterte plot just ‘wishful thinking’ — PNP spokesman

The success of the ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte dubbed as “Red October,” or any other plan to topple the administration, is mere wishful thinking, a police official said on Tuesday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said that while communist rebels have always aimed to destabilize any sitting president, it is only during the Duterte administration that its intent is at its weakest in the last 50 years.

“Given the fact that the popularity of the President and the morale of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and [the] PNP are at its highest, any hope for an ouster plot to ever succeed is wishful thinking — at least for the moment,” he told INQUIRER.net.

READ: ‘Red October,’ according to AFP

Durana also repeated the statement of PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, who earlier said that the ‘Red October’ plot remains a concern but not a threat at the moment.

“Since threat is assessed based on intent and capability, the CPNP (Chief PNP) was right in saying that an ouster plot from the CPP/NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front) is just a concern [and] not a serious threat,” Durana said.

Albayalde earlier said that Duterte has basis for claiming that certain groups are out to oust him, noting that the President has “unlimited access” to intelligence information.

The AFP on Tuesday cleared the Liberal Party and the Magdalo Partylist of involvement in the reported coalition with the CPP to unseat Duterte. /ee

READ: ‘Red October’ aims to force Duterte to declare martial law – AFP