Duterte warns 2019 election candidates vs ‘terror’ tactics

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has warned all candidates in the 2019 midterm elections that he will personally arrest those who will be reported to be terrorizing voters. “Ke kasama kita sa gobyerno o kasama kita sa partido o kalaban kita sa politika (Whether you are a fellow government worker, party-mate, or political rival), do not terrorize, do not intimidate, do not create fear in the voters,” he said in a speech in San Miguel Bulacan last Monday. Mr. Duterte added, “‘Pag ginawa ninyo ‘yan ako mismo ang pupunta doon at ako mismo mag-aresto sa iyo (If you do that, I will personally go there and arrest you).” The President said voters should have the full freedom to choose whom to vote for. “Maski piliin nila ‘yung a — parang aso ‘yung ugali, eh pasensiya tayo (Even if they choose someone who acts like a dog, then we have to tolerate that).” He also reminded both the military and the police to remain neutral. “I would like to remind everybody in government, everybody…. lalo na ang (especially the) Armed Forces pati pulis (including the police), do not take sides! Either for or against my party, huwag kayong makialam (do not interfere),” he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin