MANILA — The “Red October” ouster plot, bared by the military over the weekend, is the confirmed handiwork of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday.
“We take it seriously. Remember that this was uncovered last February 2017 in an encounter between our troops in Bukidnon. It was hatched by the CPP-NPA in October of 2016 even before the President cancelled the peace talks,” the defense chief said in a message to reporters.
Lorenzana added that after the cancellation of the peace talks, the implementation of the proposed ouster plot became more urgent for the rebels.
“Their plan was to get as many civil organizations as possible to join their mass actions led by their progressive fronts. It is suppose to culminate this October. However, if you have been listening to Joma Sison (CPP founder) he came out recently to say that PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) will not last till middle of 2019. Maybe they have moved their goalpost considering the lackluster performance of their so-called massed rallies last ML (Martial Law) anniversary,” the defense chief stressed.
In line with this threat, Lorenzana said they are now closely monitoring other groups.
Earlier, AFP assistant deputy chief-of-staff for operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade said there are plans to oust Duterte and the government, dubbed called “Red October”, by next month.
The ouster plan coincides with the international celebration for Marxism and the Indigenous Peoples Month.
Allegedly, participants would be coming from a grand coalition and a broad united front. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
