Roque: Duterte doesn’t want Rev Gov but asks backers to hold peaceful rally

While maintaining that President Rodrigo Duterte does not want a revolutionary government, Malacañang has called on those joining the rally in support of such move to observe peace and order.

“We ask those who would join in today’s demonstrations calling for a revolutionary government to conduct their rallies in a peaceful, orderly manner,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement on Thursday.

“The President has earlier said that he does not want a revolutionary government.  This, however, does not mean he would prevent citizens from expressing their support for a revolutionary government,” he added.

Roque reiterated that Mr. Duterte allows protests and other forms of mass actions “as long as public safety and convenience are not compromised.”

“Police will observe maximum tolerance and exercise highest restraint,” the spokesperson said,

In his speech on Tuesday, Duterte thumbed down calls to establish a revolutionary government even though it was actually him who first floated the idea in October.  /kga