PNP: No destabilization moves amid Marcos-Duterte rift Emmanuel Tupas - The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines — There is no brewing destabilization or coup attempt against the government despite the word war between President Marcos and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine National police (PNP) said yesterday. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. gave the assurance as he instructed police officers to shun political noise. “He said there is no destabilization plot, there is no coup d’etat. That’s the response of our chief PNP,” Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP’s chief publicist, said at a news briefing. Fajardo urged the public to be cautious about unverified information, saying the PNP has not monitored any plan to oust Marcos. She said the PNP is on normal alert status except for its forces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, who are on full alert. While police officers are exposed to news about the current political climate in the country, Fajardo said they should not be affected by these issues, and instead focus on their jobs. “The PNP chief is always reminding every policeman not to lose focus and continue discharging their sworn duties” she said. Earlier, Duterte called Marcos a drug addict. In response, Marcos said Duterte may have been affected by long term use of fentanyl, a painkiller. Duterte responded by daring Marcos to undergo a drug test to prove that he is not into illegal drugs. Fajardo urged interest groups to spare the PNP and refrain from using the organization for their personal gains. “Our focus is to enforce the law and implement legal orders of duly constituted authorities,” she said. Lawmakers were set to brief police officials about Charter change (Cha-cha) yesterday morning, but the meeting was called off for unknown reasons, sources said. As this developed, the PNP downplayed the voiding of the designation of Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria as officer-in-charge of the office of the PNP deputy chief for administration, the second highest position in the police force. Dubria, deputy chief for operations, is the third highest official in the PNP. Fajardo said the voiding of Dubria’s designation has nothing to do with the official’s alleged ties with the Dutertes.?Dubria is reportedly among the so-called Davao boys, being a former chief of the Davao City police. “I was made to understand that the order was issued prematurely,” Fajardo said, noting that Dubria’s designation was taken back in deference to Marcos, the appointing authority. “Let’s wait for the official announcement… The order was nullified because it was prematurely issued,” she said. ‘Pray for our leaders’ Amid the word war among the country’s leaders, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines Bishop Oscar Florencio urged Filipinos to pray for them. In an interview over the Church-run Radio Veritas, Florencio reminded the country’s leaders to think about their words and actions as these could have consequences on the people. “True leaders are supposedly discerning on what they should do, because whatever they say or do, these would have some repercussions to their constituents,” said Florencio, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care. “Let us pray for them and let us not be swayed. As a people and community, we can still do something – listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit,” he added. The prelate said Filipinos should be vigilant and monitor developments on how government leaders run the country. He said leaders should focus their efforts on improving the lives of the people. “What should be our primary concern is what is good for the nation and its people,” Florencio said. – Evelyn Macairan