Duterte dismisses revolutionary gov’t idea

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday denied the idea of setting up a revolutionary government, after saying he would declare it if the country falls into chaos due to destabilization attempts.

"‘Wag kayong maniwala ‘yang mga coup d’état, mga revolutionary, coup d’état. Wala tayong makuha diyan. Let us just build a country," he said after awarding 26 wounded soldiers with the Order of Lapu-Lapu at the Army General Hospital.

In his second speech, Duterte said that he would arrest destabilizers of the government.

"Ang sabi nilang revolutionary government, coup d’etat, huwag ninyong intindihin ‘yan, malayo ‘yan. Me, I build a nation. If the Armed Forces cooperates with me, if this is something that is good, then fine, we can work together," he said at a ceremony commemorating the heroism of the soldiers and police officers killed in action in Marawi City.

"From now on I will decide on my own time when I will make it official that they are officially connected with the conspiracy and I'll have to arrest them. Hindi ako mag-martial law. Hindi ako mag-revolutionary government," he added.

‘Revolutionary gov’t vs. destabilization’

Duterte in October threatened to declare a revolutionary government in case destabilization moves by his critics, particularly the Left, continue and start slipping into chaos.

"'Pag ang destablization ninyo patagilid na at medyo magulo na, I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term," he said in a report on state-run PTV  News.

"I will arrest all of you and we can go to a full-scale war against the Reds," Duterte added.

He said he will declare the revolutionary government if he thinks his critics are "about to take over the nation" and install a new government.

Duterte said he would not declare martial law because he would need to report to Congress for it.

He also said that declaring a revolutionary government would be akin to what late President Corazon Aquino did during her term.

"Just like your hero, heroine, President Corazon Aquino declared a martial law. Then… about to then changed her mind a few hours and declared a revolutionary government," he said. — BM/NB, GMA News