Vice President Leni G. Robredo has asked President Duterte to be extra careful due to security threats, particularly from the terror group ISIS in his hometown, Davao City.
“Kailangan mag-ingat pa rin kasi kailangan pa kayo ng bansa,” Robredo recalled telling the President in an interview with reporters at the Quezon City Reception House when he offered her in a phone call the top post at the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
“Sabi niya over the phone na maraming naa-alarm na parang increase na security threat. Ang sabi ko sa kanila lahat, bakit ba sila nag-aalala nandiyan ka naman?” said Robredo.
Robredo said that Duterte even asked her to join security briefings so she would be aware of the situation in the country. “Iyong mga bagay na nalalaman niya ay mas mabuti na alam ko rin para handa lang parati,” she said.
Robredo thinks the people have nothing to worry as long as Duterte is around.
Duterte, in a recent televised briefing in Malacañang, mentioned Robredo under the rule of succession would replace him if something bad happens to him.
“You don’t have to worry, you have your Vice President. Kaya nga tayo may Vice President eh,” he said. “And Leni Robredo, if she becomes the President will also be harsh kasi you are talking about the welfare of the country.”
The former Camarines Sur representative, however, is cool to the idea. Duterte said the people voted for him and they would prefer that he finishes his term.
“Tingin ko naman lahat ng bumoto sa kanya at saka iyong lahat ng Pilipino, kung sino ang pinili ng tao iyon naman ang mag-finish ng kanyang term. Kaya kung ako, totoong maraming mga threats pero mas mabuti na nag-iingat pa rin,” Robredo said. (RAYMUND F. ANTONIO)