Don’t allow yourselves to be kidnapped.
President Duterte gave this advice to potential victims after authorizing government forces to bomb kidnappers fleeing with their hostages to curb the kidnappings in the south.
Speaking to the business community in Davao City last Saturday night, the President has described as “collateral damage” if hostages are caught in the middle of the crossfire.
“Ako ang order ko talaga sa Navy, sa Coast Guard, basta nag-kidnap, tapos trying to escape, pasabugin mo na silang lahat,” the President said. “Sabi nila, ‘hostage po.’ Sorry, collateral damage,” the former mayor of Davao City said.
Duterte explained that such government action would at least even the score against these lawless elements.
“Now, if they are blasted everyday, that would stop or at least places us in a very – and into a parity. Hindi ka lalamang sa kalokohan mo, talagang pasabugin ko siya,” he said.
Duterte later advised the businessmen not to get themselves abducted given his order against kidnappers. “Kaya huwag kayong magpa-kidnap sa totoo lang,” he said drawing laughter from the audience.
And since he has been accused of being “gago,” Duterte said he would rather channel his energy against enemies of the state.
“Kung gago man ako noon, itong pagka-gago ko gamitin ko na rin sa mga gago. Pero huwag mo akong…Kasi sabihin ko ‘yung nag-bomba diyan sabi ko, hulihin ko talaga and we were able to,” he said.
The President noted that the country already has an existing maritime security arrangement with Indonesia and Malaysia to combat the surge of kidnappings and piracy by militants. (GENALYN D. KABILING)
