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SCMP’s Asia desk

Former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte has denied he rallied retired army generals to topple President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, saying the country was unlikely to be hit by political upheaval.
Military chief Romeo Brawner last week said he had heard of “destabilisation efforts”, with some former officers suggesting “the president should be replaced for many reasons” and “there should be another coup d’etat”.
Brawner said he contacted some of the ex-servicemen and told them: “Sir, you have the right to do that because we are in a democracy, but please do not involve the active personnel of the armed forces of the Philippines.”
He added that enlisted troops were warned against joining such groups.
Philippines’ ex-president Duterte says Israel should ‘pulverise Gaza’
Brawner also said the alleged movement to destabilise Marcos’ government came to light in September, and there were indications Duterte had a role in it.
But the 78-year-old appeared perplexed by the claims. “I really do not know how I was dragged into this,” Duterte said.
Duterte acknowledged that he met some retired generals but plotting a coup was never discussed.
“What I said during our meeting, among others, was as long as there is no serious issue of corruption [there would be no coup],” he said.
He said widespread corruption in government could lead to political tumult and he does not see that happening because the Marcos administration has “corruption under control and the president is not dishonest”.
“I do not see any [political tumult] in the horizon, however short or long. I don’t think that there are current issues big enough to create another turmoil,” Duterte said.

He also called on Filipinos to give Marcos more time to deliver his election promises and continue to back him, The Philippine Star reported.
Senator and former police chief Ronald Dela Rosa, who served under Duterte, said people attempting to bring down Marcos were “crazy” and urged them to retire peacefully.
Lawmaker Elpidio Barzaga said political chaos was the “last thing the country needs right now” amid economic challenges and stubborn inflation.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said the military was loyal to the president and there was “no destabilisation plot and movement against the government”.
Marcos, the son and namesake of the late strongman deposed in a 1986 “People Power” revolt, took office last year.
The Philippines has seen more than a dozen coup attempts since the ouster of the dictator.
In 2017, Duterte accused some miners of funding efforts to destabilise his government for proposing a ban on extraction activities. Without giving evidence, he also said the US tried to overthrow him.


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Philippines’ Duterte rejects accusation he rallied retired generals to topple Marcos in coup

Former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte acknowledged he met some retired generals but that plotting a coup was never discussed. Photo: Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division via AP 

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte reviews scout ranger troops in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Philippines must ‘speedily’ probe Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to ‘kill’ lawmaker, international group urges

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte allegedly made threats to ‘kill’ a lawmaker. Photo: Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division via AP

Philippine legislator France Castro shows a document after filing a criminal complaint against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte following the malicious threats made by Duterte in a television interview. Photo: AFP

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Former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (second from left) with Rodrigo Duterte during their meeting in Manila. Photo: Facebook/senatorbonggo

Philippine former president Rodrigo Duterte meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 17. Senators in Manila have called for Duterte to be a special envoy to Beijing. Photo: AP 

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Duterte says he had met some retired generals but plotting a coup was never discussed ‘as there is no serious issue of corruption’
He has said, without evidence, the US tried to overthrow him and also accused miners of funding efforts to destabilise his government


The former president of the Philippines said he had met some retired generals but plotting a coup was never discussed ‘as there is no serious issue of corruption’.


Rodrigo Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr