Philippine president says ready to establish ‘revolutionary govt.’
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has warned he is prepared to establish a “revolutionary government” to fend off alleged efforts to oust him, fueling fears of a looming dictatorship.
He issued the warning on state television late Friday as he railed against the press, European lawmakers and other critics of his drug war that has left thousands dead and led rights groups to warn of a crime against humanity.
Duterte said he would resort to a revolutionary government, as opposed to martial law that would require congressional approval, if communists and other opponents tried to destabilize his rule.
“If your destabilization is taking place and there is chaos already, I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term and I will arrest all of you and we can go to a full-scale war against the reds,” Duterte said, in reference to communist rebels who have waged a nearly 50-year insurgency.
Duterte alleged the US Central Intelligence Agency was part of a plot to destabilize him, and warned he would jail all of his opponents as well as the communist leaders.
“I will declare a revolutionary government, you are all arrested. I am not scaring people, just remember that,” he said.
Duterte’s critics fear the 72-year-old, who has repeatedly threatened to impose martial law, is intent on dragging the country back into dictatorship and allow himself more freedom in prosecuting his drug war.
The Philippine military, which backed Ferdinand Marcos until the last days of his dictatorship, did not respond to AFP's request for comment on Duterte’s warning, while congressional leaders could not be reached for comment.
Asked for comment, Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te told AFP on Saturday: “We don’t comment on political statements.”
(Source: AFP)
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