(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte “adheres to the rule of law and remains loyal to the Constitution.”
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after the United States Intelligence Group described some of Duterte’s actions–his war on drugs and pronouncements on a revolutionary government and nationwide martial law— as “regional threats” in its Feb. 13 Worldwide Threats Assessment report.
Duterte, who has said he would step down once a federal type of government was in place in 2020, only said he would declare the revolutionary government if chaos ensues because of destabilization attempts.
He has also dismissed the idea of imposing martial law across the country.
“Our media are still able to broadcast and print what they want–‘fake news’ included. Our judiciary and the courts are functioning as usual. Our legislature remains independent and basic services are still being delivered. There is no revolutionary government or nationwide martial law, which US intelligence officials are saying that the President might declare or impose,” Roque said.
He said that while the Philippines has “to be friends with the United States,” the declaration of the US group “makes it very difficult to be friendly with the United States.”
He said the Palace and the President were taking the report “very seriously,” noting that America has been reported to have a role in deposing world leaders.
“At least in one case the International Criminal Court has found the US’ interference… they took steps to depose a legitimately elected government,” Roque said.
Apart from Duterte’s acts, also included in the group’s list of threats to democracy and human rights were the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and the alleged repression of democratic institutions by Cambodia’s Hun Sen.
The group also expressed fears new elections in Thailand in 2018 will result in a new Constitution that will “institutionalize the military’s influence.”
