Philippines President Duterte threatens ‘revolutionary war’
The president’s comments have caused an outrage in the country, with many saying it amounted to a threat
MANILA: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte recently threatened to lift the writ of habeas corpus and declare a ‘revolutionary war’ in the country.
Speaking to a gathering of prosecutors, Duterte said, “I have enough problems with criminality, drugs, rebellion and all.
“I will declare the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus; and I will arrest all of you,” he added.
Duterte stated, “I will declare a revolutionary war until the end of my term. Come what may hell or otherwise. I am willing to be hanged. I’m willing to die.”
The president’s comments have caused an outrage in the country, with many saying it amounted to a threat. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo clarified that if Duterte’s statement came across as a threat, it was a threat only meant for those who continued to violate the law.
“The President’s narrative on the revolutionary war is an expression of frustration and at the same time to put the transgressors of the law and the purveyors of the status quo on notice that he will not sit idly and watch their transgressions unabated and that he will exercise powers the Constitution bestowed him,” Panelo said in a statement.
“The threat, if it is a threat, is not against the people but precisely against their enemies, the criminals, the people manning the illegal drug industry, the corrupt bureaucrats, the greedy politicians, the communist rebels, foreign and local terrorists, and other enemies of the state,” he added.
He said the President was particularly frustrated by the continuous entry of illegal drugs in the country, the corruption in the bureaucracy, and the impunity of criminals.
In the same speech, Duterte also criticised Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon for warning him against cancelling government contracts deemed onerous.
“I ordered the review of the contracts. And here comes Drilon saying that ‘be careful; Be careful of what? Be careful of what? Why should I be very careful in reviewing contracts that are not for the interest of the people? “And the onerous and burden provisions there that the people have to honour. So? You think that I will allow it just because we cannot impair the obligation of our contracts?” Duterte said.
On April 2, Duterte called for a review of all government contracts with private firms and foreign companies to determine if there were “onerous provisions” that would put the country in the disadvantage.
His call to review came after he learned that the government had to pay at least PHP3.4 billion to water concessionaire Maynilad after losing an arbitration case in 2018.
Maynilad won over the government at the Singapore High Court for revenue losses in relation to the unimplemented water tariff hike. The Philippine government opted not to appeal the High Court’s decision.