Duterte on coup d’etat: Not during my term, please

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday asked the state security forces not to stage a coup d'etat against the government during his term.

"I know that the Armed Forces and the Police will have to decide one day somehow. Do not do it please during my term," Duterte said before officers and soldiers at the 72nd anniversary of the Philippine Air Force.

"I told you before all you have to do kung ayaw ninyo ako, do not bring your weapons and mechanized armors there. Just call me and we’ll have coffee and I am ready to say, 'It’s yours for the taking,'" he added.

Duterte made the remarks as he addressed the issue of corruption, which he said would one day spur the soldiers and police officers to launch a coup.

He also made them after he revealed that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed verbally that Chinese fishermen may fish in the country's exclusive economic zone.

Duterte's remarks have resulted in some critics suggesting that he be impeached for failure to uphold the constitutional provisions on the country's territory and sovereignty.

‘No need for coup’

The President in September last year said that the military and police could seize power from him without staging a coup.

Five months ago, the President was confident that the military would not oust him.

He, however, advised those who plan to stage a coup to hand over the power to "bright" military men, policemen or executives and not to his rivals in politics.

During his speech, Duterte also mentioned that he always approved the requests of his military commanders to modernize the Armed Forces.

"During my time, I have never said 'no' to any of the commanders and to Delfin Lorenzana at kay Secretary Esperon. All the things that they wanted for our Armed Forces pati ang pulis," he said. —NB, GMA News