MANILA, Philippines — Without citing any proof, President Rodrigo Duterte accused former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario of treason for claiming that Chinese officials had been bragging about shaping the outcome of the 2016 Philippine elections.
Duterte lambasted Del Rosario during the taped weekly briefing on the COVID-19 situation in the country Monday night.
Last week, Del Rosario said he received information from a “most reliable international entity” that “high officials from China are bragging that they had been able to influence the 2016 Philippine elections so that Duterte would be president.”
“You, Alberto, if I see what you have, I will sue you for many things. I have not, for the life of me, sued anybody — libel or anything — during my 23 years [in public office]. But you, I will go after you because it was you who transmitted the message,” Duterte said, speaking partly in Filipino.
It was at this point that Duterte accused Del Rosario of treason and proceeded to question his nationality, without citing any evidence.
“If we are in olden times, if we are only at war, you are guilty of treason. And the reason is you are not a Filipino. You were picked up from somewhere. Why do you look that way? You are not really a Filipino, in fact,” Duterte said.
“What weighs heavily against you is that it was you who transmitted that. And I said that is treason,” he added.
Later in his rant, Duterte once again questioned Del Rosario’s nationality and threatened to throw coffee on the former foreign affairs chief’s face.
“You keep on talking. What China? Did China help me? Gago ka [You are stupid]. Where did you get that? With 16 million [who voted for me] can you get the help of another country? Can you buy 16 million [voters]?” Duterte said.
“I want to see you personally. Where can I meet you? Where do you have your coffee? I’ll pour your coffee on our face, believe me. You don’t believe me? Try it,” he added.
Duterte continued on: “Try conveying to me the message where I can find you and I will go to you. I won’t bring my security — just me. I’ll pour coffee on your face. Where’s your house? I’ll knock on your door. It will just be me alone. Don’t be afraid.”
According to Del Rosario, Duterte’s subsequent actions “lend more credence to this information.”
“As early as May 15, 2018, our president proudly declared in Casiguran Bay in Aurora that Chinese President Xi Jinping has sworn to protect him from moves that will result in his removal from office,” Del Rosario said.