Andanar again floats alleged oust plot at pro-Duterte rally

Before a large crowd of President Rodrigo Duterte's supporters, Communications Secrtetary Martin Andanar on Saturday night floated again his claim of a destabilization plot against the administration.

"Alam n'yo po mga kababayan, marahil narinig n'yo ang mga usap-usapan na destabilisasyon. Gusto n'yo bang mangyari ang destabilisasyon?" Andanar asked tens of thousands of Duterte supporters at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

The crowd replied, "Hindi." They also replied in agreement with Andanar that they will defend democracy in the country, which was restored in 1986 during the People Power Revolution.

Authorities said at least 215,000 people attended the gathering in Rizal Park, a stark contrast of the crowd that went to the People Power Monument to celebrate the restoration of democracy.

Duterte's communications chief first floated the alleged destabilization plot in September. He said then that a fellow Cabinet member told him that he overheard in New York a group of Filipino-Americans discussing the plot.

The alleged plot was supposedly targeting to oust Duterte by January 2017.

Andanar had insisted that there is a "protracted politcal drama aimed to destroy the President and topple his administration."

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, however, denied the existence of such a plot.

In a press conference, Andanar lost his cool after being pressed by a reporter why top security officials including Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon had dismissed his claims of destabilization.

Andanar said not all member of the Cabinet are provided with the same intelligence reports.

During his speech, Andanar said that the large gathering at the Quirino Grandstand was the real people power.

"Ito po ang patunay na people power. ang people power hindi blue, red, dilaw, hindi itim. Ang people power po ay tayong lahat na Pilipino," he said.

Other prominent supporters of Duterte and members of his Cabinet also made appearances in Rizal Park on Saturday night, including Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.

Sandra Cam and Mocha Uson also attended the gathering. —ALG, GMA News