Lorenzana denies military, police ‘dissatisfaction’ with Duterte

This photo, taken Sept. 21, 2017, shows President Rodrigo Duterte on his fifth visit to Marawi City, which was then under siege by the Islamic State-inspired Abu Sayyaf Group. (Photo by RICHARD MADELO / Presidential Photographers Division)

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday debunked claims of Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison that there was a “growing dissatisfaction” with President Rodrigo Duterte within military and police ranks.

“Really? What dissatisfaction is he talking about? Has he seen the latest SWS [Social Weather Stations] survey when the population has given a 70+ satisfaction rating? The military and police would rate him 100% if a survey is made,” the defense chief said in a statement.

His remarks were a response to the claim of Sison that the military and police would join ouster movements against the President when mass actions turn “gigantic.”

“The end of Duterte is near in view of the growing dissatisfaction within the AFP and PNP. The officers and men are just waiting for the big mass protests to arise in the cities of the National Capital Region and the provinces,” Sison said.

But Lorenzana said it was Sison and his followers who were dissatisfied and disillusioned.

He said thousands of communist rebels had returned to the government fold and had been availing of livelihood assistance from the government.

“I seriously doubt if anyone is listening to or reading anything that he’s saying since he has become inconsequential and irrelevant in our country’s affairs,” Lorenzana said of Sison.

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