President Duterte claimed that the Dilawans (yellow), the color associated with the opposition, and the communist rebels already have "working relations" and that they might disrupt the upcoming 2022 elections.
Duterte made the statement two months before Filipinos the country's 17th president.
In an interview with his friend Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the President said the government has been on the lookout for the two groups along with another one whose name he forgot.
"But what I really am afraid of is the report of the intelligence community. There's a... parang (some sort of) grouping of the communists," he said Saturday, March 12.
"Itong mga Dilawan tapos... I forgot the other one. 'Yan ang ano ng gobyerno. They're watching for that kind of situation (The Dilawan and I forgot the other one. The government is watching for that kind of situation)," he added.
The President believes that the three groups cause trouble during the elections.
"'Yan ang sinabi kong pwedeng manggulo kasi (That's what I'm saying there might be trouble because) they have this working relations now with the Dilawan. The election is the objective, really," he said.
Despite this, the President said he will not allow violence to prevail during the polls.
"I cannot guarantee you that it will be peaceful. There will be one or two or three, and even Mindanao," Duterte said.
"I will not allow terrorism dito sa eleksyon, I will not allow violence. Kampanya lang kayo (I will not allow terrorism during the elections. I will not allow violence. Just campaign)," he added.
President Duterte, so far, is not endorsing any presidential candidate. However, during the interview, he said he will be campaigning for the following personalities who are eyeing Senate seats:
- Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo
- Former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Greco Belgica
- Representative Rodante Marcoleta
- Broadcaster Rey Langit
- Actor Robin Padilla
The President said his candidates are handpicked.
"Mga de-prinsipyo, edukado. Higit sa lahat, yung iba nasa Congress na, (They are principled, educated. Most importantly, some are already in Congress) but they are what you would call the crusaders," he said.
Duterte appealed to the public to replace some senators in the Upper House.
"Kung makinig kayo sa akin at maniwala kayo, mabuti. Pero 'pag hindi, balik kayo sa dati (If you choose to listen and believe in me, then good. If not, then you will be back to where you were)," he said.
"May ibang senador diyan na dapat talaga ninyo tanggalin (There are some senators that you have to remove)," he added.