PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was eyeing to establish a revolutionary republic if destabilization plots against him and his administration cause mayhem, his spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte's pronouncement was "not a threat," saying it might materialize as it was the President's "alternative plan," just in case "anarchy" emerges amid alleged opposition groups' plan to undermine him.
Abella made the remark after Duterte, in an interview aired on state-owned PTV4 on October 13, said he would declare a revolutionary government if his critics' plan to remove him from office would result in upheaval.
Abella, in a press conference, said the Chief Executive has substantial evidence obtained from his "own, internal sources" to issue such stern warning against his political rivals.
"He's (Duterte) not threatening the President’s critics about that. He's simply saying that if this happens if it leads to anarchy, this is what the alternative could happen," he said.
"He has said that he would declare a revolutionary government, only if and when the destab[ilization] attempts against the government would lead to anarchy. So in other words, he’s simply laying the premise that what could happen. The President, you have to remember, is, again and again, has access to all kinds of information. And he may have his own reasons for doing so," Abella added.
On October 12, Duterte alluded that the "Reds" or the communist rebels were conniving with the "Yellows" or members of the opposition Liberal Party, in an attempt to oust him from the presidency.
He also challenged the two parties to form a single group that would stand united against his policies.
But in a recorded interview with broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, he warned of imposing a revolutionary form of government during his watch, if the situation in the country turns out to be chaotic.
"If your destabilization seems to prosper and it becomes chaotic, I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term," the President said.
Abella said Duterte's warning was in line with his pledge to protect the country.
"Basically, the administration is duty-bound to protect the state and especially in his (Duterte) case, he wants to protect the integrity of the next generation," he said.
"So he's perfectly within his rights and jurisdiction to be able to say, 'I am protecting the [country].' You know, the grounds already won for the next generation," he added. (SunStar Philippines)