Philippines' Duterte dismisses interior secretary

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday fired Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismail Sueno, who was instrumental in convincing him to run in the May 2016 election, citing loss of trust and confidence.

The announcement was made at the end of the 14th Cabinet meeting.

ABS CBN News quoted Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella as saying the president "had earlier asked a few questions of Mr. Sueno but the summary dismissal served as a warning that Mr. Duterte would not countenance any questionable or legally untenable decisions by any member of the Cabinet."

"The secretary had, in fact, been instrumental in convincing the president to run for election, but this did not deter the President from pursuing his drive for a trustworthy government by addressing issues like corruption," he added.

In an interview with DZMM, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said Duterte made the decision to dismiss Sueno during a briefing.

"It was discussed only yesterday [Monday]," he said.

Sueno on Monday denied various allegations of corruption and other abuses hurled against him by three subordinates.

DILG undersecretaries John Castriciones, Jesus Hinlo, and Emilie Padilla have reportedly called on Duterte to remove Sueno, whom they accused of collecting grease money from illegal gambling rings through his grandson, a police official identified only as "Senior Superintendent Sintin."

Sueno said he received an offer to protect gambling syndicates in exchange for payola, but he rejected the proposal.

Sueno was among the several personalities from southern Mindanao island appointed by Duterte to key government posts after winning the presidential election.