AFP: Reds not giving up on move to oust Duterte

From Malaya Business Insight (Oct 16): AFP: Reds not giving up on move to oust Duterte

AFTER claiming the supposed “Red October” plot to oust President Duterte has fizzled out, the military is now saying the communist movement is targeting to remove Duterte by December.

“It’s a rolling plan and they want a grandiose celebration of their 50th anniversary this December. They are doing it October, November, December by phase,” said Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.

The Communist Party of the Philippines is celebrating its golden anniversary on December 26. The communists traditionally mark their anniversary with attacks on military and police targets.

Arevalo said did not elaborate on how the communists will execute the new plan.

Authorities have said the Red October plot calls for widespread rallies, similar to “people power revolt” in 1986 that ousted President Marcos, and launching of tactical offensives throughout the country.

“If they failed in their Red October plot, it doesn’t mean that we can already relax or put our guard down. On the contrary, our intensified intelligence, combat and civil military operations are continuing to weaken their group,” said Arevalo.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana last week said the Red October plot failed because the military exposed it to the public.

Arevalo yesterday said the Red October plot indeed existed.

“Their objective is to overthrow the current administration,” he said, adding the plot failed because the military exposed it, causing individuals who initially pledged support for it, to back off.

He said the communists tried to recruit youths and students of colleges and universities in forming a so-called “united front” to “destabilize the government and ultimately overthrow the current administration.”

The military has named 18 colleges and universities in Metro Manila, where the New People’s Army, the CPP’s armed wing, is allegedly recruiting students to become fighters and take part in the Red October plot.

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