‘Low chance’ that destabilization plot is true, says Jonvic Remulla

MANILA, Philippines — There was a “low chance” that an alleged plot to destabilize the government was true, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

“As far as I’m concerned, the Constitution will be upheld and the President is doing his job and the Armed Forces have full faith in how he is working and they have sworn their allegiance to the Constitution, not to the man,” Remulla said in an interview on DZMM on Wednesday.

“If you go on a scale of 1 to 10… that’d be a 1.5… Its chances are low (destabilization plot),” he stressed in Filipino.

The alleged plot was bared by veteran journalist Mon Tulfo, accusing Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson of financing a plot by key figures and retired military officials to destabilize the government.

READ: Palace: AFP looking into alleged destabilization plot list

“What Mon Tulfo put out, in my opinion, he may have other sources. But, I am part of the national security apparatus,” Remulla said.

“I do not believe these personalities are behind it. I think it’s a lot of baloney, a lot of fake news,” he added.

Malacañang has since stated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has begun investigating the list of personalities whom Tulfo alleged to be part of the plot. 

In a follow-up social media post, Tulfo stood by original allegations, saying “My long-time friend Alex Allan, a former ace journalist, suggested I (had) opened myself up to a barrage of libel suits.”

“How could I be charged with libel when that report was objective and did not make any unfair comment on anybody in the list?” he added. /mr