Palace dismisses AFP-CIA plot to kill Joma, oust Duterte

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella. KING RODRIGUEZ/ Presidential Photo/FILE

Malacañang on Thursday dismissed as “pathetic rumor” the alleged collaboration of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to overthrow President Rodrigo Duterte.

READ: NDF bares alleged CIA plan to kill Sison, oust Duterte

“Yun pong mga rumor of attempts to overthrow the President has been around from day one, okay,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a Palace briefing.

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on Tuesday disclosed an alleged plot by the US CIA and the AFP to kill communist leader Jose Maria Sison and oust Duterte.

“This latest twist where they include themselves is an insertion of themselves into the plot. It’s rather pathetic, okay,” Abella said.

“There’s no basis for that,” he added.

The military has denied the report, saying it was a mere communist propaganda.

“Not true at all. This is once again a propaganda line of the left to gain sympathy and toe the anti-US line that they usually take. Again, this is such a preposterous statement,” said AFP Spokesperson Brig. Gen Restituto Padilla. JPV