NSA Año on US pushing Sara Duterte's impeachment: Totally fake news

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday dismissed as false a supposed document making rounds on social media stating that the United States wants the Philippine government to prioritize the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

"That is totally fake news and fabrication. There is no such document existing in our records and even in the office of the Executive Secretary," Año told GMA News Online.

Año was reacting to the supposed memorandum about his virtual meeting with American counterpart Mike Waltz. The document bore the name of Año's office, the National Security Council (NSC), on the letterhead.

It stated that the US emphasized that the Philippines has been facing "political risks that could not be ignored," claiming that Duterte remains the most competitive presidential candidate. Duterte's victory at the polls would supposedly trigger a "complicated situation," including difficulty for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos to leave office.

The US supposedly expressed support for and recommended prioritizing Duterte's impeachment to "manage the political risks," the document read.

To recall, Año had a meeting with Waltz this April wherein they discussed progress in the alliance between Manila and Washington.

They also "exchanged views on the regional security situation, particularly in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, and future bilateral activities to further accelerate the progress in the alliance."

Meanwhile, Año ensured that a probe would be conducted on the matter.

"We will conduct an investigation with law enforcement agencies to identify the fabricator and file [appropriate] charges. We will not allow any foreign government including [the] US to intervene or meddle in domestic affairs more so in politics," he said.

Responding to a request for comment from GMA News Online, US Embassy in Manila spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said: "NSA Año and the Philippines’ National Security Council have clearly stated the document in question is fraudulent."

Gangopadhyay referred further questions to the Philippines' National Security Council. — VDV, GMA Integrated News