Duterte tells military: No coup d’etat, tell me if you want me out

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo told the military to tell him directly if they want to oust him rather than stage a coup d’ etat.

Duterte said the military could oust him if they want Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo to replace him.

“Takot ako na i-coup d’etat ako ng police pati military (Am I afraid of a coup d’etat?)? If you want me out, tell me,” Duterte said in a speech during the thanksgiving party of incoming Senator Christopher “Bong” Go in Davao City on Thursday night.

He said he would rather go home than see the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and the military fight each other.

“Hindi tama ‘yang ginawa na every president. Kung ayaw ninyo, magbaba ako. Bakit kayo magbarilan? Hindi ako papayag na ‘yung PSG magbarilan, kalokohan,” he said.

(It’s not right that you do that to every president. If you don’t want me, I’ll step down. Why are you going to shoot each other? I am not going to tolerate that.)

“Ayaw ninyo ako? Okay. Uwi na ako. Sige… ‘Yung babae na ang presidente niyo. Kung mahusay siya eh di wala akong ano — wala akong ano… Tatakutin ako ng coup d’etat. Ah kalokohan ‘yan,” he added.

(You don’t want me? I’ll go home. The woman will be your president. If she’s good, then I don’t have any…But for you to threaten me with a coup d’etat? That’s nonsense.)

The 74-year-old President was apparently referring to Robredo. (Editor: Eden Estopace)