Possible sedition raps in ex-Pres. Duterte remarks - DOJ

Metro Manila, Philippines — The recent remarks of former President Rodrigo Duterte against the administration may be bordering on inciting some sectors to rebel against the government, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said, prompting authorities to keep a close watch on his call for military action to "protect the Constitution."

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said the DOJ is “cautiously and closely monitoring” Duterte's statements.

“Lahat po ng pahayag ng ating dating Pangulong Duterte, pati yung pong mga sinabi niya mga nakalipas na buwan and many of these are really very questionable, legally questionable because he always reverts to the military to take action on a civil dispute,” Andres said.

[Translation: All the statements of our former President Duterte, including those he made in the past months, are really very questionable - legally questionable - because he always calls on the military to take action on a civil dispute.]

“That is something that is taking out support from the government, which is, under the law, punishable as sedition,” he added.

Potential destabilization plot

Andres said Duterte's statements are under scrutiny to determine if these are part of a broader destabilization plot.

“We are looking at the anti-terror law, sedition, because this may be part and parcel of a bigger plot of destabilization. We do not know yet. We cannot preempt that. But we are investigating it thoroughly and we will file appropriate cases and even summon the past president if needed,” he said.

The DOJ said there are no summons yet for Duterte.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin denounced Duterte’s call for “military action,” describing it as self-serving.

“No motive is more selfish than calling for a sitting president to be overthrown so that your daughter can take over,” Bersamin said in a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, Nov. 26, referring to Vice President Sara Duterte assuming power if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were ousted.

Bersamin said Duterte was willing to “go to great and evil lengths,” including urging the military to betray their oath of service.

“The former president should respect the Constitution, not disobey it. He should desist from being as irresponsible as he has become,” he said, adding that the government would not tolerate destabilization attempts.

“Nakakagulat ang garapalang panawagan ni dating Pangulong Duterte sa ating sandatahang lakas na maglunsad ng kudeta laban kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Bersamin added.

[Translation: The blatant call of former President Duterte for our armed forces to launch a coup against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is shocking.]

“The state will act resolutely to go against all unlawful attempts and challenges,” he said.

In a press briefing on Monday, Duterte urged the military to address what he described as a “fractured government.”

“Nakikita ko ang sitwasyon kung ganoon ang president, in face of so many errors there, nagkaroon na ng fracture sa government, it is only the military can correct it,” Duterte said.

[Translation: I see the situation—if the president is like that, in the face of so many errors, a fracture has developed in the government, and only the military can correct it.]

When asked if he was advocating for a coup or junta, Duterte said it is an option for the armed forces.

“Sinabi ko lang it is only the military who can correct. Ibig ko ba sabihin ang military mag (junta)? Well, it’s an option sa military. They can just sit there sa upuan nila sa bukid maglinis ng baril magsabi lang sila na, ‘We are not anymore.’ Hindi na sila mag kudeta na magdala pa ng tangke, sabihin lang nila, ‘Ayaw na namin ang laro niyo,’” he explained.

[Translation: I simply said that it is only the military who can correct things. Am I saying that the military should form a junta? Well, that’s an option for them. They can just sit in their chairs in the fields, clean their guns, and say, “We’re done with this. We don’t have to launch a coup with tanks. We’re just saying we don’t want to play your game anymore.”]