Vera Files on 'ouster plot': PHL in big trouble if this is the kind of intel Duterte gets

Following the release of a matrix showing the alleged media campaign to oust the Duterte administration, Vera Files on Monday expressed alarm over the kind of intelligence report that President Rodrigo Duterte obtains and bases his actions on.

"What I find disturbing is, if this is the kind of intelligence report that the President gets and bases his actions and policies on, the country is in big trouble," Ellen Tordesillas said in a statement.

Tordesillas clarified that Vera Files' alleged involvement in the supposed ouster plot is "downright false."

The matrix, which was cited in an article published Monday by The Manila Times chairman emeritus Dante Ang, showed the supposed flow of anti-Duterte information from the source to recipients including media outlets Vera Files as well as the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

The report indicated that "false narratives" are also being distributed to media organization Rappler, which has been critical of Duterte and his policies, and to the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers.

Tordesillas was named in the report as the "nexus and distributor" of materials from alias Bikoy, the man who had claimed to be a former drug syndicate member and had ledgers showing presidential son Paolo Duterte's supposed link to illegal drugs.

Rappler already denied its involvement in the alleged ouster plot while the PCIJ has not issued a statement yet on the matter as of posting time.

The NUPL condemned its "libelous" inclusion in the said alleged plot and added that the accusation places the safety and security of its members in danger.

Malacañang backed the Times report on Monday, with presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo showing a copy of the matrix to reporters during a press briefing.

Panelo added that his copy came from Duterte himself, but denied that the Times' copy of the matrix came from the Palace. —KG, GMA News