• Social status not a consideration in anti drug drive
• PRRD hopeful of peaceful resolution over sea row; ready to defend PAR if talks fail
• Duterte: No let up on illegal drugs; pays respect to fallen Cop
• Duterte to soldiers: Look good, fight good
• PRRD asks police and military troops to be “extra friendly with communists; might yield to some leftist demands
• Names in new drug matrix verified – Andanar
• ‘De lima you are finished’- President Duterte
• PRRD mulls renaming of Malacañang palace

In a Press Conference in Taytay, Rizal, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said that law enforcers who implement the anti illegal drugs law does not look at the economic status of the violator.

“Just because you are poor you are supposed to be excused from what? apprehension? Bakit? Ang pulis ba na pumatay, ikaw ba ay mayaman? Only millionaires? Tell me who killed him? ito ba ay negosyante? Mahirap, drama drama na yan, rich or poor, I do not give a shit.”

The President said that in the implementation of the law, the order given to the police is to rid the country of the illegal drugs problem, whoever is involved.

As proof of the President’s fairness in implementing the war against the drug problem, he announced names of high-ranking police officials, military men and even mayors and governors, some even his friends, who were allegedly coddlers, protectors and are involved in the illegal trade. He also made mention of Senator Leila De Lima’s involvement when she was Department of Justice Secretary.

The administration’s war on drugs is likened to the stance against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), “you destroy them.”

PRRD also said that the big fishes in the the illegal drug trade are all outside the country, utilizing high tech gadgets in the conduct of their nefarious activities.

“I am telling you time and again, that the drug lords are not here, they are outside directing the traffic of drugs by cellphones, satellite cellphones and they have this big picture of the Philippines where they can zero in on a particular (location).” Some of them, he said, are doing their illegal activities on international air space, international waters where nations are devoid of jurisdiction.

He also said that the arbitral judgment would be insisted not only by the Philippines but by all the countries Southeast Asia.

His statement came in the wake of reports that Philippine envoys headed by former President Fidel V. Ramos and former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan have started discussions and initially agreed with Chinese officials in a meeting in Hongkong last August 13, on how to ease the tension between the two countries as an offshoot of the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling.
Through the envoys, the Philippine government has conveyed its desire to discuss matters of mutual concerns over the issue at appropriate time to explore ways on how to resolve it with peace and cooperation.
The President earlier this week declared his plan to continue to pursue the bilateral talks until the issue is resolved diplomatically.

Ramos and Alunan who headed the meeting begun talks about setting up a “two-track” system that would allow Philippines and China to cooperate with each other in some areas and separately handle some “contentious issues” such as the South China Sea territorial dispute.

“President Ramos got a very good job there but China should be hearing us out now,” Duterte said, adding that it’s about time that (China) lifts its bans on tourists and allow Filipinos to fish in the contested sealane.

The President said that these positions of the Philippine government have been communicated to the Chinese officials as he expressed his preference to engage China in a diplomatic approach in resolving the issue.

Duterte also revealed that the Philippines is closer to an actual date for a bilateral talks with Beijing.

Earlier reports said that during the meeting in Hongkong, both countries discussed possible human and ecological security options and suggestions for the benefit of both Filipino and Chinese people. These include encouraging marine preservation; avoiding tensions and promoting fishing cooperation; anti-drug and anti-smuggling cooperation; anti-crime and anti-corruption cooperation; Improving tourism opportunities, and encouraging trade and investment facilitation.

On Monday, PRRD has said that he would not bring up the issue about the West Philippine Sea before the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and prefers to discuss it directly with China. He said he would not want to antagonize China and jeopardize formal talks between the two countries.

“So it’s up to China, “ he said, adding China has even offered to build the rehabilitation centers in the country’s military camps in support of the Duterte administration’s on-going anti-drug campaign as a sign of good will.

Before he was elected for presidency, the President openly expressed his choice to leave the issue of ownership on the territorial disputes behind so it can lead to a better deal with China.

Duterte told reporters in a press conference minutes after he paid his respect to Police Senior Inspector Mark S. Garcia, who was killed in a drug buy bust operation in Taytay, Rizal “itong mga pulis na namatay in the line of duty, in the performance of duty, I go out of my way to visit them and give them a smart salute for the service of the country.”

Garcia led the operating team for “operation double barrel” on August 19 during a drug buy bust operation in Sitio Maagay I, Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo, Rizal. Two drug suspects were killed in the operation.

Garcia, a member of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 2004. He is a recipient of numerous awards from his different assignments.

The operation resulted in the death of two drug suspects who allegedly fought with the team of Garcia, whom the President referred to as a fallen hero.

“I am very very sad. Whether we like it or not, because, we have to die to fight the menace of drug, the drug crisis in the country. There will be no let up,” the President said emphasizing that there is no such thing as “genocide.”

Aside paying respect, President Duterte handed a P250,000 check sourced from the President’s Social Fund and P20, 000 cash in the form of support to Judy Ruma, wife of the fallen police and assured that their three children—Jemina Margaret, 11 who dreams of becoming a lawyer; Jana Mikaela, 6, who want to become a doctor and baby Markus Gael, more than a month-old are initially assured of scholarships from kindergarten to high school.

Duterte also ordered the inclusion of the widows of policemen and the armed forces in the government’s social-livelihood or the 4Ps program.

“You will not be the least on our assessment.” Duterte said, assuring the soldiers that in this administration, soldiers and policemen rank high in the President’s priorities.

Speaking to the soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division (Jungle Fighters) in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal, President Duterte affirmed that he is fully supportive of both the military and the police and that he values the roles of the armed services in achieving national security and lasting peace.

Duterte emphasized that as commander-in-chief, it is his duty to see to it that the needs of soldiers and policemen are provided for. This includes a gradual increase in their salaries, proper medical facilities and the best possible equipment necessary to fulfill their duties as guardians of the state.

“I want you to be well-groomed before going to battle because when you look good, you fight good!”

Duterte also reassured the troops that although he is a President who seeks peace, he urged the men and women of the Jungle Fighters to be fully prepared for the eventuality of war or other contingencies.

At a press briefing in Davao, the President expressed his willingness to free the other political prisoners and is inclined to yield to some of their demands in his pursuit for lasting peace, hoping this could end the years of communist rebellion in the country.

He asked the police and military troops to refrain from any “bloody confrontation” and to forget the hostilities for the meantime that peace talks in Oslo Norway between parties are underway.

He ordered both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately honor the truce he had declared and cease from attacking the NPA.

“So I’m joining the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in its desire to seek peace for this nation,” he said.

“We avoid hostile actions against each other, we do not go into any antagonistic behavior in front of whoever and as a matter of fact, I am encouraging people in the government, the military and the police to be friendly with the forces of the revolutionary government of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP),“ he said.

“As President, my main task is to seek the peace for my country. I am not a President who would enjoy waging war against the citizens of this Republic,” he added.

The President was emotional in saying that it pains him deeply to see people dying for an ideology.

He pointed out that “Pwede naman nating mapag-usapan ng mapayapa, just like now. I would have just also wondered bakit kailangan pa tayo magpatayan for 45 years only to end up, which is really a significant event for everybody. Ngayon palang, mag-usap naman tayo and to think there’s so many lives lost both for government and on the other side”.

The President said issues in poverty and housing problem which are part of the roots of communist insurgency in the country should have been addressed long time ago.

“That is my regret for my nation that sana noon pa ito, wala na masyadong patayan at magagamit ko pa yung pera para sa mga mahirap na Pilipino.”

The President expressed optimism that the government’s conflict with the communists shall be resolved under his term and in his lifetime.

As for the demands of the NPA, the armed wing of the communists, the President said he is even willing to release money and lands to them.

“But there’s so much land in the Philippines, and I could… Sabihin lang nila and I would give them everything,” he said. (LMG/ LTA/ PND)

In an interview with GMA network’s anchor Kara David, Secretary Andanar explained that this is the reason why the President has restrained himself from showing the matrix in its entirety, until all the persons listed there have been confirmed to be involved in the country’s drug problem.

The Secretary said the matrix is a product of combined intelligence efforts of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Just like the matrix before, those mentioned in the President’s previous revelations are given the chance to submit their counter affidavits indicating that they have no involvement in whatsoever capacity in the illegal drug trade.”

If the PDEA and the PNP are satisfied and have prima facie evidence against the persons, charges will be filed against them, just like the two ex-generals who were named by the President, Andanar said
On the matter of Senator Leila de Lima, Secretary Andanar said that the President has strong evidence against the former Justice Secretary who was also in charge of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) where drug lords are allegedly operating.

“We know Senator De Lima is no ordinary person. She is a Senator of the Republic and President Duterte would not mention her name if he did not have the evidence to back the claim.” Andanar said.

Another former official, Francisco Baraan III who was an Undersecretary at the Department of Justice (DOJ) denied involvement, but indicated that he would present his side when he is formally charged. (LMG/LTA/ PND)

These were the words uttered by President Rodrigo Duterte in a press briefing in Davao on Thursday.

The President was apparently referring to Senator Leila de Lima’s political career that might just end now that he had exposed her alleged immorality and linked her and her alleged driver and lover to the illegal drug trade inside the National Penitentiary.

The President said De Lima is undergoing a nightmare now, embroiled in a controversy in her personal life.

The verbal tussle between the President and the Senator ignited even before the Senate chaired by De Lima herself, has launched a committee hearing this week on possible human rights violations committed by law enforcers in connection with the deaths of suspected drug dealers and users in the course of the government’s anti-drug operations.

The President lambasted De Lima for repeatedly conducting a probe on him about the possible human rights violation he might have committed even while he was still Mayor of Davao. Earlier, the President has denied any involvement in the extrajudicial killings of the suspected drug dealers and users and criminal elements.

“But when she (De Lima) came for an investigation during (my) time as the mayor, she in fact could have violated the rule of law… try to pull out a prisoner from the prison cell (by the person of Jonathan Balo), without the benefit of a court order,” the President said.

PRRD said that she has tapes to show of the Senator’s involvement.

“Well, I will, you know. De Lima is undergoing a nightmare now. Tama na ‘yun para sa akin. Alam mo, I still have the tapes and you guys were there.”

The President said that he has the tapes which would also link De Lima with the DDS (referring to the Davao Death Squad vigilante group), and he will prove it. (LMG/LTA/ PND)

The 200-year-old Malacañang Palace is the official residence and workplace of the President of the Philippines located in Manila.

“That’s why I always say it, I know the palace of the people called Malacañang. You have heard me say that. I never say diretso ‘Malacañang Palace’.”

He said, “call it Malacañang Palace, I only call it ‘The People’s Palace,”he said.

He said he wanted the poor to set foot in the palace.

“Yun ang dapat mga tao magkain doon kasi kanila ‘yung bayan. And one day, I’ll invite also everybody. Dahan-dahan lang. Itong mahirap. Itong mahirap kasi dito nag-aano ng– kung hindi ‘yan malakas sa isa, hindi nakakita ‘yan. So I’ll invite mga taga-Tondo, Pandacan muna, para makita nila anong palasyo ng tao,” he said.

The President said he wanted to be close to the marginalized. “So I protect people who have helped me. If they have helped us, hindi naman pulitika eh, hindi naman talaga ako makatakbo uli, ang pulitika ko is ‘yung nakakatulong sa bayan na dinadala ko sa balikat ko, ‘yun ang mga tao,” he said.