Duterte’s “crowning glory” is fighting crime in Davao

by Chito A. Fuentes

DUMAGUETE CITY - Mayor Rodrigo Duterte considers his fight against crime in Davao City the “crowning glory” of his political career.

“Davao used to be a very, very troubled place,” the mayor recalled, noting that at one time “two to three” policemen ended up dead every day.

Speaking before the Veloso clan reunion at Bethel Hotel in Dumaguete City Saturday, Duterte said he was pleased with what he has accomplished.

“Somehow, I was able to talk things out with everybody,” he added.

Mayor Duterte at the recent anniversary rites of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Photo by Roldan Gorgonio

When Duterte assumed as mayor in 1988, Davao City was considered the murder capital of Mindanao.

Under his watch, the peace and order situation vastly improved such that it was cited by crowd-sourced rating site Numbeo.com as the 5th safest city in the world.

The successful turn-around has captured the imagination of many people alarmed over the worsening peace and order situation in the country.

Even after Duterte has unequivocally declared that he does not covet the presidency on many occasions, the clamor refuses to die down.

Duterte’s stock in fact continues to rise when he placed third behind Sen. Grace Poe and Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

Duterte himself admitted that many people are pushing him to run particularly people from Mindanao.

He acknowledged that everywhere he goes, local officials tell him the no. 1 problem is illegal drugs.

His track record in the fight against crime is one reason why many people continue to pin their hopes on Duterte despite his disavowals. 

“Let me make this clear: if you go to my city and do drugs, I will kill you,” he told his audience. 

He has said this many times, indicating his fixation to combat this social menace.

Duterte appeared unimpressed with the present crop of presidential aspirants particularly in fighting crime.  

“If you look at the political landscape, it is arid land,” he added.

Insisting that he is now tired after being mayor for a long time, Duterte said he has done what he set out to do at the start of his political career.

“You can be proud that you have a relative you made things right,” he added.

Notwithstanding his previous pronouncements, many people are optimistic the mayor can be prevailed upon to make things right on a national scale. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

BEFORE CEBU AUDIENCE Duterte tells “truth” why Davao is safe

by Chito A. Fuentes

CEBU CITY – “You want to know the truth? If you come to Davao and engage in illegal drugs, you’re dead!” Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said.

The mayor was in Cebu for various speaking engagements including a forum at the University of San Carlos (USC) audio-visual hall.

During the forum, a female teacher from a government educational institution asked the mayor Davao’s secret in maintaining peace and order in the biggest city in the world.

The teacher noted that Davao was recently given recognition as the 9th safest city in the world.

Duterte responded candidly, without batting an eyelash, that drug pushers end up dead when they bring drugs into Davao.

“I’m not bragging. I’m really going to kill you,” he added.

The mayor revealed that he was investigated en banc over allegations of his complicity in the summary killing of a suspected personality.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who was Commission on Human Rights chairperson during the administration of ex-Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, conducted the investigation.

The tough-talking Duterte has earned plaudits for turning Davao around from a virtual wastebasket in the early 80s into the fifth biggest economies among Philippine cities.

His firm and relentless campaign against crime and syndicates have captured the imagination of many people who want the Davao experience duplicated in the entire country.

Davao’s peace and order has become an exception in a country where law and order is being challenged on a regular basis.

Duterte insists the growing criminality requires drastic solutions.

“I will bring back the death penalty,” the mayor declared when asked what he will do if ever he becomes president.

Every time he says that, the applause is spontaneous. 

While Duterte continues to deflect calls to run for president, he has titillated listeners with his unequivocal commitment to peace and order.

For people who receive a daily dose of reports of heinous crimes and the breakdown of law and order in many places, Duterte continues to win believers over to his uncompromising stance against criminals.

Little wonder that while Duterte insists he does not covet the presidency, more and more people hope he will change his mind and give in to a growing clamor.

In all his speaking engagements, Duterte is being mobbed by listeners who want to have their pictures taken with him, a ritual which is becoming a fad in social media networks.

Duterte has learned to oblige people who line up for the familiar “selfie” with him.

Even usually disinterested media practitioners asked Duterte to pose with them after the media forum at the Adnama building Monday.

And even after he declared point-blank the secret of Davao’s safety, his audience in USC did the same.

While Duterte insists he has not decided on the presidential draft, the response at his speaking engagements show that many of those who have heard him have found their presidential bet. (CHITO A. FUENTES)