MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said it received reports about the plan to oust President Rodrigo Duterte involving some media organizations and journalists.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Office of the President received a copy of the supposed “Oust Duterte plot” matrix, published in Manila Times on Monday.
“The source of that [matrix by the Manila Times] is from the Office of the President. I don’t know how he got one, but it’s coming from [him],” Panelo said.
Among the groups identified in the “Oust Duterte matrix” were Vera Files, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Rappler, and the National Union of People’s Lawyers.
Included in the said matrix is “Bikoy,” who links close allies and relatives of the President to a drug syndicate in various videos released online.
Panelo said The Palace will not file charges against those in the matrix unless they commit “overt acts.”
“Eh basta lumabag na sila. Pag meron na silang overt acts to bring down this government, that’s a different story,” the Palace official said.
“Pero kung ito lang muna, eh dati naman nilang pinagagagawa ito eh hindi naman sila nagsa-succeed, but the public has the right to know,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they are not discounting the possibility of destabilization plot against the President but they still lack evidence.
“There’s a possibility. We are not discounting the fact that there’s a destabilization plot,” PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde said at Camp Crame on Monday.
Albayalde added the PNP anti-cybercrime group is yet to identify “Bikoy” and the people behind him.
“But of course, I’m sure, hindi lang si ‘Bikoy’ ito. Meron talagang gumagawa kasi scripted ‘yung sinasabi niya,” the PNP chief said. “And we are also sure that they are receiving money for that.” /PN
