PNP declines to support call for revolutionary government

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will not support the call for a revolutionary government as the organization remains faithful to the Constitution, its spokesperson said on Sunday.

The Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte - National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC) reportedly set a Friday meeting inviting officials to discuss the proposed revolutionary government.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said the call for a revolutionary government undermines the existing Constitution.

“Ang PNP po ay nananatiling tapat sa ating Konstitusyon at sumusunod lamang tayo sa umiiral na mga batas at mga lawful authorities,” Banac said.

“Anything na nananawagan o mga kilos na ang layunin ay ibagsak or something na ma-undermine ang ating Constitution at ang ating pamahalaan, ay of course , hindi susuporta ang PNP sa ganito,” he added.

According to Banac, the invitation was addressed to the office of PNP chief Police General Archie Gamboa but it only reached the office of the Directorate for Operations.

Gamboa confirmed he received the said invitation but he did not personally see it. 

“Sa paunang pagbasa, of course, hindi natin ito sineseryoso dahil kakaiba ‘yung pangalan,” Banac said.

“Mahirap din na malagay tayo sa ganitong situation. Dadalo tayo sa isang pagpupulong tapos ang pangalan ng grupo ay isang revolutionary government. Mahirap ‘yun,” he added.

Banac said the PNP has already identified the author of the invitation. However, Banac said the PNP is still looking into the personalities who attended the meeting.

“Tayo ay nagpapaalala na tayo'y nasa ialim ng rule of law so napakahalaga na ang lahat ay tatalima base sa ating umiiral na Konstitusyon,” he said.

“Nais din natin na bigyan ng katiyakan sa publiko na ang PNP po ay mananatiling tapat sa atin pong Constitution. Susunod lamang tayo sa mga umiiral na batas,” he added.

On Saturday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also expressed no support to the call of a group of Duterte's supporters for a revolutionary government.

“We got it thru Viber but not send to us by the alleged authors. We do not support them,” Lorenzana said.

During the presidential campaign in 2016, then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he is planning to form a revolutionary government if elected President.

In 2017, Duterte threatened to declare a revolutionary government in case “destabilization” moves by his critics, particularly the Left, continue and start slipping into chaos.

In April 2019, the President threatened to declare a revolutionary war, during which he would have his critics arrested, if he was "pushed to the wall."

Vice President Leni Robredo however said Duterte will be violating the Constitution and abandon his post as Chief Executive in the event that he will declare a revolutionary government. —KG, GMA News