Duterte asks for loyalty to country amid reports of Red October

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday called on the uniformed services to be loyal to the country amid talk of a plot by communists and his critics to oust him next month.

Speaking before Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel in Calamba City, Laguna, Duterte stressed his earlier pronouncements that the military and police could seize power from him without staging a coup.

"If you think there's a better guy there on the side... if you think that matanda na talaga ako at di na ako makakapagtrabaho or I am no longer be able to articulate what I should be doing in government, just tell me," Duterte said.

"Do not go into such stupid things as coup d’etat. You’re wasting your time. Just talk to me. And if I think that you are right, I will agree with you and I will step down. Uwi na ako sa amin," he added.

Holding the Philippine flag, Duterte reminded uniformed personnel that their loyalty was to the country.

"Your loyalty should begin and end with the Republic of the Philippines. Do not mind me," Duterte said.

Duterte on several occasions asked soldiers to oust him if they thought that he was no longer doing the country any good as President.

He even said that he preferred a military junta taking over than Vice President and Liberal Party stalwart Leni Robredo, his constitutional successor if he would quit and leave Malacañang.

Duterte, however, expressed doubt on Monday that the supposed ouster plan dubbed "Red October" would amount to anything without the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

He mentioned the administration's efforts to improve the capabilities of the military.

Information from the AFP pointed to an ouster plot that could have been launched on Friday, September 21, the 46th anniversary of dictator Ferdinand Marcos' declaration of Martial Law.

The opposition coalition Tindig Pilipinas reportedly balked at joining the ouster move after learning that it was initiated by the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The communist rebels and LP have since denied any involvement in the alleged plot to remove Duterte from the presidency.

Malacañang said that a "people power" will not work on Duterte because the chief executive continues to enjoy popular support. —NB, GMA News