Lethal force vs anarchy Duterte warns of deadly consequences of sowing chaos
The government is determined to use lethal force against groups sowing anarchy, including those who illegally occupy government housing projects, President Duterte said on Tuesday.
The President said poverty should not be used as an excuse to create chaos, insisting that he would enforce the country’s laws against anarchy and disturbance.
“Do not practice anarchy because I will not hesitate, maniwala kayo. ‘Pag nagsira kayo, nagnakaw kayo, nag-demonstrate violently, nagsunog kayo ng hindi ninyo kotse, ipabaril ko kayo (Believe me, if you sow chaos, steal, demonstrate violently, set a car that’s not yours on fire, I will have you shot)”, Duterte said before an assembly of Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Malacañang Tuesday night.
“Maski na ako ang magkaroon ng record na maraming pinatay na Pilipino, I don’t give a damn (Even if I get the record of having the most number of Filipinos killed),” he added.
The President also called on
the urban poor group Kadamay to avoid a repeat of the unlawful takeover of a housing project intended for the troops or else face deadly consequences.
The left-leaning group should wait for the government to raise funds to bankroll future housing projects, according to Duterte.
“Nagwa-warning ako sa inyo. Kung ulitin ninyo ‘yan at pipilitin niyong papasok, ang order ko talaga, paalisin kayo sa pwersa. Either batutahin kayo o ‘pag lumaban kayo, ipababaril ko kayo,” he said in an earlier speech during the turnover of financial aid to the families of slain Marawi troops at the Palace last Tuesday. (I am warning you, if you repeat trespassing into another’s property, you will be forcibly removed.)
“Huwag ninyong gamitin ‘yang pagka-pobre ninyo to create chaos,” Duterte said. (Don’t use your poverty as an excuse to create chaos.)
While he sympathizes with the plight of the poor, Duterte branded the Kadamay group and the communist rebels as “almost anarchists.” He slammed that these groups who steal and destroy property as if the country has no laws and no government.
In early March, Kadamay members illegally took over thousands of empty housing units in Pandi, Bulacan that were intended for soldiers and policemen. To prevent bloodshed, Duterte agreed to allow the urban poor group to occupy the houses. He later promised government troops that he would build a better shelter area for them.
The President, in his remarks last Tuesday night, said he plans to seize some government properties taken by the rich in a bid to raise funds for public housing projects.
“Wala tayong pera mag-imprenta para maibigay ko at itayo ninyo ng bahay. Huwag ninyong gawain ‘yan simula ngayon kasi ako galit rin sa inyo [We don’t just print money to give away and build houses. Don’t do that starting now because I will also get mad at you],’” he said.
Duterte raised the Kadamay’s illegal takeover of a government housing site as he defended his decision to scrap the peace talks with the communist rebels.
The President deplored the communist rebels for attacking government troops, including his security convoy, despite his administration’s peace initiatives.
He recalled that he invited communist leaders to Malacañang a few times as a confidence-building measure but the rebels did not reciprocate such sincerity. He said in jest that he should have poisoned the communists when they visited the Palace.
“Galit na ako kasi gusto ninyo akong kausapin pero inaambush naman ninyo ako. Eh anong klase? [I am angry because you supposedly want to talk to me but you tried to ambush me? What is that?] Tapos [then] you claim ignorance,” he said.
With the scuttled peace talks, the President said he would just focus on strengthening the military capability in addressing the threats of terrorism and rebellion.
“Simula ngayon [Starting today] no more talks. I will prepare government. Lahat ng pera, gagastusin ko muna sa military [I will use all the money for the military],” he said.
“Alam mo bakit? Kasi ‘pag hindi ko ginawang matatag at matibay na militar pati pulis, babagsak itong bayan na ito sa kalokohan ninyo [Do you know why? Because if I don’t build a stronger military and police, this country will fall because of their treachery],” he said.