I'll edit this post if i feel like finding any other non Scalia theories.

I think this email seems to be speaking about an event which just happened, rather than one which is about to. So the event in question would be on the 8th. Now I am not an expert in filipino politics, but on the 8th of feb 2016 Roy Seneres, Filipino presidential candidate died.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Se%C3%B1eres

"Señeres was open to the possibility that Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte would be his substitute candidate if Duterte became a pro-life advocate.[9] However, Señeres later refused to substitute for him and slammed Duterte's decision to pursue the presidency. He said that Duterte should support and endorse him instead.[10]"

So Seneres withdrew, but still was thourghly at odds with Duterte. The US has special forces and presumably intelligence services active in the region. Is it possible that they are discussing an attempt to shut up a critic of Duterte either by Duterte or the US in order to influence the outcome of the Filipino election.