Ouster plot vs Duterte? No ‘strong evidence’ yet, says PNP

Colonel Bernard Banac, Philippine National Police spokesperson. INQUIRER.net file photo / Cathrine Gonzales

MANILA, Philippines — There is yet a “strong evidence” to say there is indeed a plot to expel President Rodrigo Duterte from power, Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac said Friday.

According to Banac, the PNP is still investigating personalities and organizations included in the latest matrices showing alleged hatchers of a scheme to unseat the President. Malacañang on Wednesday presented to the media four matrices – an expanded version of the matrix it initially released last April 22 – of alleged oust-Duterte plotters.

Banac also said the PNP did not contribute any information to the Malacañang-produced matrices, although PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde has said before that the President has unlimited sources of information.

“Bilang investigation agency, mandato rin ng PNP na alamin, tingnan ang mga impormasyon na maaaring mag-ugnay sa mga napangalanang tao, pero sa ngayon wala pa tayong nakikitang matibay na ebidensya. So masasabi natin na wala pang validated threat na pagtatangka laban sa Pangulo,” Banac said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“Kung sakaling may mga nakitang mag-uugnay sa kanila sa ouster plot, pag-aaralan ng mga otoridad kung anong nararapat na kaso, kung sakali. Pero sa ngayon, wala pa tayong nakikita na matibay na ebidensya sa isang ouster plot,” he added.

Based on the latest matrices released by Malacañang, among those purportedly conniving to remove Duterte from the presidency are the Liberal Party, Magdalo group, some media organizations, as well as TV personality Gretchen Ho and Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

READ: LP, Magdalo, media outfits tagged in Duterte ouster plot

Banac said the PNP “so far” does not see any evidence linking Ho and Diaz to an alleged ouster plot against Duterte.

He further said the PNP have yet to assess which criminal charges the personalities tagged in the matrices might face if proven they are indeed involved in the alleged scheme to unseat the President. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)