Former President Rodrigo Duterte's Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo blasted Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin's statement on the former's motive to overthrow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In an exclusive interview at Balansyado on Tuesday, Panelo echoed Duterte's words, stating that there are no plans to overthrow the current President, nor is there an initiative for sedition.
“Ang sinabi ni (dating) Presidente Duterte, ayaw ko (ng) kudeta, ayoko din ng people power. ‘Yun pa lang makikita mo na, na ayaw niya pabagsakin ang gobyerno. Ang sabi niya ang tungkulin ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ay bigyan ng proteksyon ang bansa,” Panelo said.
Additionally, Panelo said that it is up to the administration on how they'll implement the military's duty. When it comes to the claims on sedition, Panelo affirmed that Duterte was only reminding the AFP of their duty to protect.
“Si (dating) President ay (nag)bahagi ng kalayaan ng pagpapahayag, it's part of the freedom of speech. He was only reminding the military that it is your duty to protect,” Panelo pointed out.
“Kung nagkakagulo itong bansa natin for whatever reason at nakikita niyo na kailangan niyong bigyan ng saklolo ang taumbayan, trabaho niyo ‘yon. Kung sa anong pamamaraan, nasa inyo ‘yon kung ano ang gusto niyo,” he added.
Responding to Bersamin's Statement
According to Panelo, the claims that Duterte was insinuating that the military betray the President was untrue.
“Ang problema sa kanya ay lumilikha siya ng sarili niyang mundo. Gaya ng sinabi ko na sinabi niyang nananawagan ng kudeta, eh maliwanag yung sinabing ayaw ko ng kudeta, ayaw ko din ng people power. Ano pa bang ibig sabihin non?” Panelo in response to Bersamin's official statement.
He clarified that the former President only stated how it is the AFP's duty to protect the nation and its people. Adding how every soldier knows about their duty to the country.
“The provision on that is unequivocal–clear, no need for interpretation. The AFP is the protector of the people,” Panelo ended.
