Coup plot against Philippine President revealed

The Philippine government has warned that those plotting to overthrow President Duterte should “think carefully” before acting.

The Filipino American Conspiracy

IBT Times quoted Philippine Communications Minister Martin Andanar as saying that the government had received information from Philippine officials in the US that a group of Filipino-Americans living in New York were plotting to stage a coup to overthrow Mr. Duterte next January.

Mr. Duterte is facing a coup plot from a group of Filipino-Americans. Photo: AP

“I have received this information from many reliable sources in the US. It is true that we have the names of those involved in this conspiracy, but we do not want to disclose them at this time. We will review and seriously investigate this case,” Mr. Andanar said.

“Anyone planning to overthrow President Duterte needs to be very careful about what they are planning to do. They need to think very carefully because it is an act that goes against the Constitution,” Andanar warned.

Although Mr. Andanar did not reveal the identities of the above officials, it is not difficult to recognize that they are Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay and the country's President's spokesman Ernesto Abello because they are the only two people currently present in the US.

When asked if President Duterte knew anything about the coup plot, Mr. Andanar said: “I have not discussed this information with the President.”

Filipinos still support Duterte

Days before Mr. Andanar announced the coup plot, Philippine media received several text messages urging them to cover a march around the Edsa People Power Monument calling for Mr. Duterte to step down.

The message read: “Let’s gather, let’s unite against Duterte. Please join the march around the Edsa People Power Monument to call for Duterte’s resignation. This will be the spearhead of the Duterte Resignation Movement. Please spread the word.”

Over the past few months, Mr. Duterte has faced a lot of harsh criticism for his campaign to crack down on illegal drug dealers in the Philippines, a country that is seriously affected by this problem.

Duterte’s political opponents have called for a plan B to replace President Duterte with Vice President Leni Robredo through a no-confidence vote. However, according to many experts, this plan is unlikely to succeed because Duterte currently has a 91% approval rating among Filipinos.

Mr. Duterte also accused members of the Liberal Party - the ruling party in the Philippines until Mr. Duterte became President - of planning this, however, Vice President and Chairman of the Liberal Party Leni Robredo denied the accusation.

Is the US also plotting to overthrow Duterte?

Not only facing threats from domestic political opposition groups, President Duterte is also considered a “thorn in the side” of the US government. Philippine Congressman Harry Roque of the Kabayan Party has warned about the possibility of the US plotting to overthrow Mr. Duterte.

Congressman Harry Roque cited the “controversial” statement aimed at US President Barack Obama at the ASEAN Summit in Laos in early September with the “suspicious coincidence” that a surprise witness agreed to appear in the Philippine Senate shortly afterward to speak about Mr. Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs that has left 3,000 people dead.

“The hearing in the Philippine Senate comes right after President Duterte affirmed that he wants to pursue an independent foreign policy,” Mr. Roque said.

This witness, said to be provided by opposition Senator Leila de Lima, named Edgar Matobato, gave detailed testimony about the “Davao death squad” and affirmed that President Duterte - then Mayor of Davao - directly commanded this death squad and also killed people like them.

“It is hardly a coincidence that this hearing took place right after President Duterte announced his independent foreign policy. It is clear that the purpose of this hearing is to pave the way for Mr. Duterte to resign,” Mr. Roque asserted.

In addition, Mr. Roque also expressed doubts about the "unclear background" of US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg: "Remember that Ambassador Goldberg was once expelled from Bolivia for plotting a coup.

Bolivian President Evo Morales expelled him in 2008, declaring Goldberg “persona non grata.”

According to VOV