PNP not discounting possibility of destab plot vs Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is not discounting the possibility that there could be a destabilization plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.

While there is no evidence of a destabilization plot “as of this time,” PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde noted on Monday that the President and his administration have been subject of accusations and criticism.

One of these, Albayalde said, is the series of videos released by “Bikoy,” which links close allies and relatives of the President to a drug syndicate.

“There’s a possibility. We are not discounting the fact that there’s a destabilization plot,” Albayalde said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

Albayalde said the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the PNP has not yet established the identity of Bikoy and those who masterminded the videos since the uploader was using a “false account.”

“But of course, I am sure, hindi lang si ‘Bikoy’ ito. Meron talagang gumagawa kasi scripted yung sinasabi niya (This is not just Bikoy. There is someone else behind it because what he was saying was scripted),” he said.

Albayalde also said he is certain that those creating the videos were receiving financial support from someone else.

On Monday, a local newspaper also bared an alleged plot to unseat Duterte as President. The article also showed an alleged matrix that involved “Bikoy” and several media personalities. /je

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