MANILA, Philippines — Senator JV Ejercito believes former President Rodrigo Duterte is not involved in any destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.
It is, however, a different story for Duterte’s supporters, at least according to the senator.
Ejercito claimed Tuesday that many of those attacking him and other senators online for being vocal against China are “influencers” identified with the previous administration.
“Wala ho akong away kay President Duterte,” he said during Tuesday’s Kapihan sa Senado.
(I have no quarrels with former President Duterte.)
“Ito lang pong kanyang mga dating supporters, nagulat ako, bakit sobra ho silang naging pro-China (I was surprised that his supporters have become excessively pro-China)… and I’m hoping that they would realize that they are being used for destabilization efforts,” the senator said.
Ejercito made these remarks when asked about the online attacks that he and other lawmakers have been receiving.
But just because Duterte was perceived to have been pro-China does not mean he is involved in any destabilization efforts or instigating his supporters, said the senator.
“Siguro perception nila pro-China noon si President Duterte but I don’t think President Duterte is behind it,” Ejercito said.
“I still believe that he loves the country, and he knows that anything of this nature will not be good for the country. Naniwala ako na retired na yan si President Duterte; he has done already his part,” he added.
Duterte himself wondered why his name was dragged into destabilization moves allegedly being hatched against the Marcos administration.
It was just last month when Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.. warned soldiers against joining any destabilization scheme against the government.
Ejercito, meanwhile, reiterated earlier allegations that these orchestrated attacks online against certain lawmakers were being funded by China to divert attention from the West Philippine Sea disputes.
Also part of the plan, he said, was to convince certain retired military officers to join the alleged destabilization moves.
“I’m hoping that they would, this time, realize any adventurism, destabilization effort, again I would reiterate, would not be good for our country in the long run,” said the senator.
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