Duterte blasts ‘political terrorism’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has vowed to fight what he called “political terrorism” as he warned politicians against resorting to violence to keep their hold on power.

He issued the warning on Wednesday during the wake for Ako Bicol party-list representative Rodel Batocabe in Daraga, Albay.

Duterte vowed to personally deal with politicians who resort to killings to gain power, warning them that they do not have the monopoly of evil acts.

“I promise the Filipino people, my country that I will not allow political terrorism, oppression, and intimidation. So if you are listening, if you are not behind this, just ignore it. But if you committed the wrongdoing, you have your opponent killed, son of a b****, I will personally confront you,” Duterte said at the wake of the slain lawmaker in Daraga last Wednesday.

“It applies to all territories of the Philippine government. I told you, do not resort to political terrorism... The people would have every right to remove you so that democracy can survive... As I have been telling everybody, do not ever, ever think that you monopolize evil in this country... To your sorrow, you will find out,” he added.

Duterte said some politicians want to win “by hook or by crook” and are using their posts to enrich themselves and to protect their personal interests.

“If there is one thing these monkeys should know, these politicians, they are not the only ones who are capable of doing these things, the killing of opponents. Not everyone can accept that. So that’s my warning,” the President said. 

“Your firearms will not be able to help you at the end of the day. Not during my time, my watch. Find another election where you can do that. The election here will be peaceful,” he added.

Duterte ordered security forces to be on higher alert to prevent more violence like the killing of Batocabe and his police aide in Daraga last Dec. 22.

Authorities are checking the political angle in the Batocabe killing. He had filed a certificate of candidacy for Daraga mayor.

“Do not be surprised. There will be a lot of military and police,” Duterte said.

“If I were you, I won’t loiter around because I am placing the entire – the armed forces assigned here and the police to maintain law and order. If you bring a gun, and try to pass through a checkpoint and say ‘I won’t stop, I am connected with the governor, the mayor,’ my order to the police and the military is son of a b****, kill them,” he added.

Duterte said the public should bear with the mobile checkpoints to be set up by government forces. 

“Please do not violate the law because you will be arrested,” he said, adding that even local executives would not be excused from complying with security measures.

“If they refuse to stop, if they argue with you, shoot them. It’s that simple.”

Armed groups monitored

Police in Bicol, meanwhile, are monitoring the movement of suspected members of private armed groups (PAGs) coming from other regions.

These armed men, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr., came from Western Visayas, specifically from Panay Island.

It is unclear when and why the group entered Bicol province.

“That’s now the subject of intensified and intelligence law enforcement operations,” Durana said in an interview over dzRH radio yesterday.

Sought for additional details, Bicol police director Chief Superintendent Arnel Escobal said they were also monitoring members of another armed group from Samar in Eastern Visayas.

Escobal said these people were apparently in Bicol to carry out assassinations for some politicians.

“Lahat yan ay tinitingnan natin pero ang importante ay malaman natin sinong mga pulitiko ang gumagamit nito (We’re checking everything, but what’s important is for us to identify the politicians who sent them),” he said in a text message.

Escobal, however, emphasized it is too early to say if those armed groups were involved in the murder of Batocabe. – With Emmanuel Tupas