PH stirs talk of U.S. plot vs Duterte ahead of Trump inauguration

From Rappler (Dec 29): PH stirs talk of U.S. plot vs Duterte ahead of Trump inauguration

Duterte's allies are not satisfied with statements coming from the US embassy in Manila, demanding a congressional probe on the supposed ouster plot and statements straight from the White House



CONGRATULATORY CALL. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte calls up US president-elect Donald Trump.

Administration allies revived talks of a supposed US plot against President Rodrigo Duterte, demanding a statement from US President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration on January 20.

The US embassy in Manila denied the allegation anew, reiterating the statement of US State Secretary John Kerry in a meeting with Duterte in July that the country's longtime ally respects the Philippines' sovereignty.

 

But Quezon City Rep. Wiston Castelo wants categorical denials straight from the White House. He also called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay to send a note verbale to the embassy to demand formal explanation.

"Outgoing US President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump should come with their hands clean and both make a categorical denial of any US government plot to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte," Castelo said in a statement on Thursday, December 29.

 

“While we respect the denial made by the US embassy in Manila as reported in the media, this matter involves decision at the highest level of the US government — and if such recommendation from former US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg does exist, the Philippines is entitled to know what the US President did or is going to do about it,” Castelo added.

 

Castelo also warned against possible moves to further strain the relations between the Philippines and the US.

 

“It could also be possible that some groups responsible for the leak are trying to undermine PH-US relations, capitalizing on President Duterte’s recent attacks against the US,” Castelo said.

 

Congressional probe

 

Castelo's statement comes after Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez himself called for a congresional probe to look into an ouster plot supposedly masterminded by former US ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, previously the constant target of Duterte's tirades. He was recently replaced by Ambassador Sung Kim.

 

The allies of Duterte issued the statements following a report published by Manila Bulletin on Goldberg supposedly submitting to the US State Department a "blueprint" on how to oust Duterte, suggesting economic and political moves against the Philippines to weaken his presidency.

 

"If true, this has serious consequences not only on our country’s political stability but also on the economic and social fabric of our nation. It would also have grave repercussions on our relationship with the United States,” Alvarez said in a statement posted on the web site of the House of Representatives.

 

"That is anathema to the gospel of democracy the US government, especially under the administration of Pres. Obama, has been preaching to the world,” Alvarez said.

 

US embassy: We respect PH sovereignty

 

The US embassy immediately denied the new allegations against Goldberg.

 

"In response to the Manila Times December 27 article titled “US ex-envoy plotting Duterte fall – source,” the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines categorically denies the allegations and the existence of a “blueprint,”" the embassy said in an e-mail to Rappler.

 

"As Secretary Kerry said in his meeting with President Duterte in July, the United States respects the sovereignty of the Philippines and the democratic choices made by the Philippine people in selecting their leaders," the embassy added.

 

Duterte and his allies had claimed various versions of a supposed ouster plot led by the US.

 

Duterte, in his speeches, has repeatedly dared the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to oust him.

 

Goldberg had dismissed as "absurd" claims that the US would plot against Duterte. He was reacting to an allegation from former President Joseph Estrada, who blamed the US for his ouster in 2001, that the superpower also want Duterte out of Malacañang.

 

Malacañang also made claims about a plot hatched by Filipino-Americans in the US, a scenario that was dismissed by government security officials because of their lack of capability.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/156909-philippines-oust-duterte-talk