Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa accused the proponents of the so-called revolutionary government of setting up top security officials to make it appear that they are supporting their plan.

Aside from Gamboa, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that he received an invitation for a meeting with the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC).

Gamboa said several invitations were also sent out to various government agencies.

What drew the ire of Gamboa was that the invitation letters were sent out and deliberately leaked to the media in an apparent bid to project that the group has the support of key government agencies.

“I was informed that letters were sent out to several government agencies inviting us to attend their supposed assembly. The information was then leaked to the media making it appear that we were involved or worse, that we consented to it,” said Gamboa.

Gamboa said he had already ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate the proponents of the revolutionary government, especially that even President Duterte disowned the intention of the group.

The order for investigation will serve as a test on how the PNP will deal with the proponents since all of them happen to be staunch supporters of President Duterte. Some of them are even holding key positions in the government.

Gamboa said the PNP has nothing to do with the call for a revolutionary government.

“Political stunts such as this are ill-timed considering that we are in the midst of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. I have directed the CIDG to investigate the individuals behind it and to determine if there is any basis to file criminal charges leading to a possible arrest,” said Gamboa.

The MRRD-NECC has been calling for a revolutionary government in order to fulfill the campaign promises of President Duterte. The group is demanding that the President take over the revolutionary government until December, 2021, in order to pave the way for the elections under a new federal form of government.

Political leaders and representatives of the legal community and the academe lashed out at the proposal, saying that it is unconstitutional and violates the existing law, particularly on the aspect of inciting sedition.
Some critics also pointed out the irony of the group trying to set up a new government that will be led by the same people who are running the current government they want to replace.