Destabilization efforts may be foreign-funded - Palace

Malacañang yesterday called for a probe into the alleged destabilization plot backed by foreign funders, saying such an effort, if proven to be true, constitutes an act of treason against the nation.

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said other countries should not meddle in Philippine politics.

“If it is true and if the investigation reveals that the rally was foreign-funded, we can say that it is an act of treason against the nation. Other countries should not interfere with our affairs. Other countries should not interfere with our politics,” the Palace press officer said at a briefing.

“Whatever clashes with the interest of our country should be investigated,” she added.

Castro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is working with the police to look into the alleged foreign-funded destabilization effort.

During a press briefing last Wednesday, AFP spokesman Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military is looking at all possible leads with regard to the recent protest of the United People’s Initiative, at EDSA.

Among the angles being checked is the possible involvement of foreign funders in the rally, whose participants included retired soldiers.

“Hopefully, these kinds of activities will not deepen if funded by other countries,” Castro said.

As the government faces controversies arising from the multibillion-peso flood control fiasco, officials of the League of Provinces of the Philippines were scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Marcos to express their support for his administration.

The local officials were expected to meet with the President yesterday to express their backing for key legislative proposals under his leadership and reaffirm their confidence in his vision for national development.

Castro said Marcos is thankful to the league for their trust and is committed to sustain efforts to promote accountability, transparency and responsible use of the national budget.

‘AFP to safeguard democracy’