Former Philippines president and incumbent Manila City Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada recalled the bitter end of his presidency 2001 and accused the United States of being involved in the said ouster that placed then vice president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang.
Estrada expressed his worry and concern over President Rodrigo Duterte and Duterte’s constant tirade about the US.
In a statement released by the Public Information Office of Manila on Fri (Oct 21) and published in a report by InterAksyon, Estrada explained how then US Defense Secretary William Cohen wrote him in 2000 to stop his “all-out-war” against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“‘Yung laban ko nu’n sa MILF, pinakialaman ako, pinatitigil ako… When they suddenly removed me, pinabayaan nila MILF, kaya ‘yun, nagtuluy-tuloy pa rin sa pambobomba,” Estrada said.
(My fight against the MILF, they interfered, they made me stop… When they suddenly removed me, they left the MILF alone, so the bombings continued.)
After Duterte announced in China about the Philippines’ “separation” from the United States, Estrada said he understands “where Duterte is coming from.”
“Nararamdaman ko ngayon ‘yung nararamdaman ni President Duterte (I feel now what President Duterte is feeling),” Estrada said emphatically.
However, Estrada also said Duterte’s strong statements “might expose him to political risks such as the US moving to oust him from office.”
“‘Yun ang pangamba ko, sa ‘kin nga ginawa eh (That is my worry, it was done to me),” Estrada said, referring to a possible plot to unseat Duterte.
