Amid heightened tensions between the Marcos and Duterte camps, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made statements on Monday, November 25, questioning the continued support of the PNP and AFP for the current administration.
“Would you, the military and police, still continue to support a drug addict? You know, just ask the Presidential Security Command, they’re all military. You don’t have to look far. How long will you keep supporting a drug addict President?” questioned by Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The former president suggested that only the military can rectify the alleged failures of governance in the country.
“There is a fracture in our governance here in the Philippines. Nobody can correct that. Nobody can correct Marcos, nobody can correct Romualdez. So it is only the military who can save [the country],” said Duterte.
However, Malacañang swiftly denounced these statements.
“The brazen call of former President Duterte to our armed forces to launch a coup d’état against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is shocking,” said Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin criticized the former president’s appeal as a blatant and selfish move.
“No motive is more selfish than calling for a sitting president to be overthrown so that your daughter can take over,” Bersamin added.
He described it as a self-serving plea to depose President Marcos solely to install his daughter in power.
“Violent power grabs to hasten someone’s ascent to the presidency through killing, chaos, and rebellion are unacceptable. Wait for the right time and follow the proper processes,” he also mentioned.
He further emphasized that such a violent means of taking power is intolerable.
“This administration will not shirk from its sworn duty to govern and manage the affairs of the Filipino nation according to the Constitution and the Rule of Law. It will defend its legacy before the Filipino people only by lawful means. The state will act resolutely to go against all unlawful attempts and challenges.”
Bersamin assured the public that the government would take action against any unlawful threats or challenges.
Some retired AFP and PNP officials believe there is no risk of a coup d’état.
According to retired officials, the armed forces today are more professional and are unlikely to act on the former president’s remarks.
“They are more professional. In fact, the trust rating of the armed forces is very high. They won’t be easily swayed by the partisan activities happening now because they are professionals,” said Ret. Col. Ariel Querubin.
Querubin added that dialogue could still resolve the rift between the Marcos and Duterte factions.
“Those personalities who united these two groups before should come in and facilitate dialogue immediately,” he added.
Meanwhile, former PNP official and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the former president’s statements were dangerous.
“It’s uncalled for, it’s harmful, it’s dangerous. Basically, it undermines our democratic process. I’ve been there before; we wanted to take shortcuts, but I’ve seen the implications and consequences of doing so,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong mentioned.
Political analyst and founding chairman of San Beda University’s Political Science Department, Gian Ines, highlighted that these remarks could have widespread consequences beyond politics.
“This will affect commerce, particularly the flow of investments, because of political instability. Politically, it will further divide our country,” said Gian Ines, Political Analyst.
**CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
