Palace links NY Times’ drug war stories to Duterte ouster plots

Malacañang on Monday linked The New York Times’ features on President Rodrigo Duterte and his war on drugs to the alleged ouster plots against the administration.

“NYT’s very obvious demolition work flies in the face of the very high approval of PPRD enjoys . The newspaper tries to stir global outrage in a nation that welcomes its newfound peace and order,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

“One can only conclude that certain personalities and politicians have mounted a well funded campaign utilizing hack writers and their ilk in their bid to oust PRRD,” he added.

Abella noted that The New York Times posted two reports and an editorial on the President in seven days.

“In a span of one week, NYT has published a news feature, ‘Becoming Duterte: The Making of a Philippine Strongman,’ narrating the rise to power of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte under the context of violence; wrote an editorial, ‘Accountability for Duterte,’ with jailed mutineer Gary Alejano and Jude Sabio, lawyer of self-confessed assassin Edgar Matobato mouthing unsubstantiated claims; and now, produced a video documentary, 'When A President Says, 'I’ll Kill You',' zeroing in on the vigilante deaths that occurred under the present administration,” he said.

But the spokesperson assured that The New York Times would not get in the way of the government’s work.

“However, the Administration will not be deterred in fulfilling its promise of building a progressive and inclusive nation free from drugs, crimes and corruption,” Abella said. —ALG, GMA News