Rody fashion: Barong with denims
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga – His mentor Fidel Ramos made a fashion statement with rolled-up barong Tagalog sleeves.
President Duterte, who once joked that the barong Tagalog is for funerals, is making his own fashion statement.
At the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force at Clark Air Base here yesterday, Duterte arrived clad in a barong with sleeves rolled up, paired with denim jeans and his sig- nature brown boots.
Duterte sported similar attire at the presidential debates during the campaign.
Upon arrival in a helicopter at Haribon Hangar, the President was presented a medallion by Capt. Apple Medroso.
Addressing the PAF, Duterte discarded his prepared speech, saying it was full of “motherhood statements.”
Instead, Duterte directed Philippine National Police chief
Director General Ronald de la Rosa to focus efforts against kidnap- for- ransom gangs and carjacking groups aside from the crackdown on drugs.
Duterte cited the case of now anti- crime crusader Boy Evangelista, whose son Benson was killed and the body burned by carjackers during the Aquino administration.
The President also said that members of the Chinese- Filipino community are often victimized by kidnap- forransom groups.
Duterte noted that the number of kidnapping cases in Davao City is extremely low, if not zero, because those who dared were killed.
“Wala na talaga sa Davao ( There is really none in Davao.)… Go check the records. All who kidnapped in Davao are dead. Why are you scared? I’m not address- ing myself to human rights. I’m ready to stake my honor and my life to stop crimes,” he added.
He did not say if the suspects were killed in police operations or were victims of summary execution.
Duterte also thanked the PAF personnel for their support for the government, and joined in the awarding of distinguished Air Force personnel and units. He reiterated his promise to give full support to the military and police.