The US Ambassador had to explain what it meant.
The World Threat Assessment Report pinpointed President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte as a threat to democracy along with other Southeast Asian leaders
from the ruling Thai officials and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Malacañang has rejected the US intel report tagging Duterte
as a threat to democracy. *
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| US Ambassador Sung Kim (photo credit to owner) |
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued a statement
regarding the matter that “For one, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is no
autocrat or has autocratic tendencies. He adheres to the rule of law and remains
loyal to the Constitution.”
Roque called the report as “myopic and speculative” at best.
The Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence
Community released a report last week stating that the Philippine President has
suggested he could suspend the constitution and declare a revolutionary
government or martial law.
"In the Philippines, President Duterte will continue to
wage his signature campaign against drugs, corruption, and crime. Duterte has
suggested he could suspend the Constitution, declare a 'revolutionary
government,' and impose nationwide martial law. His declaration of martial law
in Mindanao, responding to the ISIS-inspired siege of Marawi City, has been
extended through the end of 2018," the report said.
Roque explained that all media oufits in the country
continues to broadcast and print whatever they want. Also, that the Philippine
Judiciary and Congress continues to deliver basic services.
US Ambassador Sung Kim called to explain
The United States of America embassy in Manila has disclosed
that the US Ambassador has met with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea(
upon the request of the latter) to discuss and explain the recently released
Worldwide Threat Assessment Report published by the Director of National
Intelligence. *
The embassy said Kim on Thursday (Feb. 22) explained the nature of the report as an annual assessment on conditions in each of the world’s various regions based on widely available information.
"Their discussion focused on the references to the Philippines in the report, including clarifying that the information about the Philippines had been previously reported by media sources," the embassy said in a statement.
The US embassy underscored its government’s commitment to the government of the Philippines. Additionally, it bared "shared interests and possibilities for expanding" partnership was even discussed.
"The meeting ended with both Executive Secretary Medialdea and Ambassador Kim reaffirming the strength of the broad and deep bilateral relationship," it ended.
Report from PNA
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