CIA not behind destab plots vs. Duterte gov’t — US envoy

Washington’s top diplomat to Manila on Thursday denied allegations by President Rodrigo Duterte that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is part of a destabilization plot to bring down his government.

“There is absolutely no effort by the CIA to undermine the Philippines leadership,” US Ambassador Sung Kim told foreign correspondents in a forum.

“President Duterte won a very impressive election. We respect his election and we are in fact working very well together with his administration,” Kim said.

Duterte, a vocal US critic, earlier threatened to set up a revolutionary government, claiming leftist militants and the political opposition are plotting to overthrow him. He has accused the CIA of plotting to kill him.

He also said that the US and the CIA long wanted to eliminate him, adding that they should be blamed if he died.

“It is much important for us to focus on what we are doing with our relationship than public statements,” the US diplomat said.

Contrary to Duterte’s disparaging public remarks against the US,  Kim said the President has indicated to him in one of their meetings that he is keen on maintaining close ties with Washington.

“He is very clear about his respect for Philippines-US relationship, including the military partnership,” Kim said. “He is also very clear about his desire to have a strong constructive mutually beneficial relationship with the US.”

The US, a close ally of the Philippines, along with the European Union and the United Nations, have expressed concern on the wave of killings of drug suspects since Duterte came into power on June 30 last year. At least 7,000 have reportedly been killed in the government’s bloody anti-drug war.

While they support the country’s campaign against illegal drugs, the EU, UN and the US maintained that due process and human rights must be observed by Philippine authorities in carrying out its operations.

Duterte is one of the most unorthodox presidents the country has ever had with the harsh language and curses that he has leveled or used against critics and opponents, including former US President Barack Obama, whom he asked “to go to hell.” — RSJ, GMA News