Manila: Supporters have vowed to block efforts to remove Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, allegedly by members of the Liberal party once led by former president Benigno Aquino.

Those who are behind the plot to oust Duterte are using “false issues” against him, such as the alleged extrajudicial killing of 4,000 suspected drug dealers and user by the police, said Interior Undersecretary John Catriciones, a member of the newly formed Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD NECC).

A majority of senators have signed a committee report that said there was no proof of state-sanctioned extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users, Catriciones said, adding that other investigations must centre on the alleged responsibility of drug syndicates in more than half of these incidents.

The burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the National Heroes’ Cemetery in suburban Taguig, which was approved by the Supreme Court, is being “wrongly used” as part of efforts to unseat President Duterte, said Catriciones, adding the plan “will fail”.

“At all cost we will try our very best to protect the democracy that has been established through the election of President Duterte,” said Catriciones.

“We would like to maintain the administration. This administration has the power and the capability to really create the genuine change (in the handling of drug problems in the Philippine and in healing a politically divided Philippines,” Catriciones added.

MRRD NECC president Samuel Ocampo said, “Demeaning the president through false allegations will not work. It is only creating an illusion of victory among his political foes.”

He blamed the Liberal Party for the anti-Duterte plot, adding, “The real plot is not noble — to install Vice-President Leni Robredo as president to perpetuate the Liberal Party in power.”

Robredo and other leaders of the Liberal Party denied the allegations.

Earlier, Duterte removed Robredo as a cabinet member because she has been attending anti-Duterte protest rallies.

Duterte also criticised Liberal Party, which “could not accept defeat”.

Duterte’s popularity rating has remained high, according to the Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia, two respected private pollsters in the Philippines.