Ex-President Duterte Dismisses Secret Meeting Allegations, Emphasizes Contentment with Marcos Leadership

janimonow

Jan 7

In a recent development that has garnered significant attention, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte categorically denied involvement in any secret meetings aimed at destabilizing the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Addressing the media in Davao, Duterte expressed his comfort with Marcos' leadership, emphatically stating his lack of interest in undermining the current administration. He ridiculed the idea of conspiring with police or military personnel for such purposes, dismissing the rumors as either misguided or stemming from insecurity.

This denial comes amid circulating rumors of a destabilization plot against Marcos, which surfaced in November 2023. However, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner has clarified that there was no such plot, merely some grumblings among retired military officers. Further dispelling these rumors, former Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio, also a retired military officer, denied any involvement of his group in spreading such rumors. Adding to this, Duterte's former spokesperson Harry Roque asserted that Duterte, known for his close ties with uniformed officers from his tenure, would not initiate a coup against the Marcos government.

Duterte also touched upon his own political aspirations, or rather the lack thereof, affirming his status as a "retired politician" and expressing satisfaction with his accomplishments during his presidency. He indicated no desire to re-enter the political arena, emphasizing his contentment and the fulfillment of his duty to his country.

In summary, Duterte's strong denial and the absence of substantial evidence from military and government officials dispel the rumors of his involvement in any destabilization efforts against the Marcos administration. His statements reflect a detachment from active politics and a focus on his legacy and past achievements as the leader of the Philippines.