Philippine leader warns of revolutionary government

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday warned that he would declare a revolutionary government if his critics’, including communists, attempt to destabilize the government escalates and causes trouble.

In a recorded interview aired on state-run television, he said "...and I will arrest all of you (destabilizers) and we can go to a full scale war against the Reds,” added the President who has been accusing the leftists, communists groups and the Yellows of conspiring against him.

According to the President, his move would be just like what former President Corazon Aquino did when she was about to declare martial law, then changed her mind and instead declared a revolutionary government.

"I do not want to declare martial law (nationwide) because that would require him reporting to Congress. I would rather have a revolutionary government."

Mr. Duterte also said the military knows that the most active group involved in the supposed destabilization attempt is the red group, which is why it won’t join the efforts.

The President listed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its political wing - National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA), the elite, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as among the entities allegedly working on his ouster.

In August, he lauded the idea of a revolutionary government over marital law when the intention is to bring about change.

Mr. Duterte earlier accused the communist rebels and the so-called "Yellows,” a term used by his allies and supporters for the opposition Liberal Party, of destabilizing his government.

The late Mrs. Aquino set up a revolutionary government following the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. She established a temporary charter that replaced the 1973 Constitution prior to the ratification of the 1987 Constitution and declared government positions vacant under the set-up.

“I was elected by the people. If I sense the country is about to go overboard, I will declare a revolutionary government. I am not scaring you but if you are about to take over the government, you destabilize the government, I will declare a revolutionary government...” Duterte reiterated.