[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]
Status: Not Logged In; Sign In
Other Title: Philippines steps up the rage “THE Punisher” has taken no time to settle in to his role and make good on his nickname. Rodrigo Duterte, 71, swept to power in the Philippines seven weeks ago aboard promises of a crackdown on the country’s huge criminal networks. Drug dealers were in his sights. The death toll from his crackdown on that particular industry is nearing 2000, according to some estimates. His next focus: The Philippines’ own terror network, Abu Sayyaf, a group often referred to as Islamic State’s baby brother. Abu Sayyaf was started in the 1990s and recently pledged allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. They make their money from kidnappings and ransoms and this week they made headlines when they beheaded an 18-year-old hostage. Responding to the news, Duterte pulled no punches. At a press conference in Davao City, he said he had delivered firm orders to eliminate those responsible. “I’m sending the troops there and tell them to destroy them,” he said. “My orders to the police and to the armed forces against all enemies of the state, seek them out in their lairs, whatever, and destroy them.” Traditional considerations for human rights are out the window. He said exactly that during the press conference. “So killed or what, don’t ask about human rights.” Duterte did more than hint at the war before he was elected on May 9. And it was clear then that he would do whatever it took. He promised “shoot-to-kill” teams would give criminals “hell” and that fish in Manila Bay would grow fat feeding on the corpses of the country’s 100,000 criminals. Rodrigo Duterte, 71, is tackling crime in his own special way. Picture: TIME Rodrigo Duterte, 71, is tackling crime in his own special way. Picture: TIMESource:Supplied His mandate included a curfew for drinking and walking in the street at night and a ban on smoking in restaurants. But it was his focus on bringing back the death penalty — abolished in 2006 — that struck a chord with voters who backed him in during a landslide election. “I expect you to obey the laws so there will be no chaos. I will hit hard on drugs and I promise them (criminals) hell,” he said. “If you resist, show violent resistance, my order to police will be to shoot to kill. Shoot to kill for organised crime. You heard that? Shoot to kill for every organised crime.” His focus narrowed to Abu Sayyaf when they broadcast the beheading of Patrick Almodovar, 18, a native of Jolo, an island south of Manila. Almodover was kidnapped on July 16 outside his family home. The government had been negotiating with his captors but could not reach an agreement. Earlier this year, Abu Sayyaf kidnapped and murdered English-born Canadian man John Ridsdel. The beheading was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who called it “cold-blooded murder”. Duterte’s push to eradicate crime is supported by his people, both in theory and practice. During his maiden speech he asked for their help and promised to reward them with medals and cash for shooting dead those he deemed troublemakers. “Do your duty, and if in the process you kill 1000 persons because you were doing your duty, I will protect you. “If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful.” Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have expressed concern about the new president’s approach. But given the support he has received for turning the table on crime, a change in rhetoric appears unlikely. Abu Sayyaf, you’ve been warned Poster Comment: Some here have shown reluctance for the stand of the Philippines President against drug dealers and criminals generally, but he has now moved against Daesh affiliate Abu Sayyaf because of their inhuman treatment of captives. This man has the right idea, no due process and criminals rights, just a recognition that enemies of the state have to be eliminated to protect the population. You have to applaud his efforts because they are effective. Ask yourself what would have been the outcome if Daesh had been opposed in Iraq in this manner. It may be a form of civil war but it is overdue, the day of the criminal is over and the world should take the example of the Philippines and run with it So come on all you liberal rights entheuiastists tell us how wrong this is, how the criminals and muslim extremists have to be protected. It is easy to do that from your armchair where you are not affected Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Duterte is my kind of man.
#2. To: rlk (#1) "Duterte is my kind of man." Hear, hear. Using the tactics of the criminals against them -- utter ruthlessness. Now THAT is a War on Drugs.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest |
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]
|