SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday warned the 2019 mid-term polls candidates, both from the administration and opposition parties, not to terrorize voters.
Duterte aired his stern warning against politicians during the initial awarding of 500 fully-furnished housing units to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“I would like just to inform, sabihin ko lang sa mga kandidato (I would like to tell the candidates) and that goes for the entire Philippines, during my watch, di talaga ako papayag, ke kasama kita sa gobyerno, kasama kita sa partido o kalaban kita sa politika (I will not really allow, whether you are my ally or opponent in politics), do not terrorize, do not intimidate, do not create fear among the voters,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he will personally confront and arrest politicians who will harass voters particularly during the election campaign which will start in February next year.
“Do it some other time but not here. Do not ever, ever terrorize, harass a Filipino voter. You might not like him but if it’s their free will, it's the choice of the people. Do not mess it up,” the President said.
At the same time, Duterte reminded also the public servants, particularly the military and police, not to take sides during the election.
“Do not take sides whether for or against my party. Wag kayong makiaalam. Wag kayong magkampanya (Do not interfere. Do not campaign) and do not favor any candidate whatsoever. That is the mandate of the Constitution. And we will stick by it,” he said.
He also ordered the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to impose the Alunan doctrine which allows only two security in uniform per politician.
“I’m ordering now the PNP, the Armed Forces, to stick to the rule of two security in uniform. Two security only because three would be — according to Alunan doctrine, three is a private army,” Duterte said.
The President directed the police and military to arrest the violators, saying candidates who afraid to die should not run for public office.
“Now kung takot kang mamatay, huwag kang tumakbo. Huwag kang pumunta ng bukid (If you are afraid to die, do not run. Do not go to remote areas),” Duterte said.
Duterte was a former mayor of Davao City for 23 years prior to his overwhelming victory in the 2016 presidential race. (PNA)
