To encourage the public to help him fight crimes in the country, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has offered bounties to those who can turn in drug lords, dead or alive.
On late Sat night, Jun 4, he told a crowd celebrating his presdential victory at the Crocodile Park in Davao City that he will reward citizens who will help him battle crimes.
“Please feel free to call us, the police, or do it yourself if you have the gun — you have my support,” Duterte said in a report by Inquirer.
Duterte said he would even give a medal to citizens who will criminals who fight back.
“If lumaban at may baril, barilin mo; I will give you a medal. And if you do it every day, gawin kitang chief ng PC (Philippine Constabulary) [If he fights and he has a gun, shoot him; I will give you a medal. And if you do it everyday, I will make you the chief of PC]” he said.
He warned against the extensive illegal trade in the Philippines. During his campaign, he promised to supress crime and drug-related activities in three to six months.
He initially promised a PHP3 million reward for individuals who can kill drug lords. However, he has now raised the bounty to 5 million.
“Ang bayad ko ngayon, ‘pag drug lord, mag-announce na ‘ko, P5 million ‘pag patay. Kung buhay, PHP4 million 999 thousand lang, (My reward for dead drug lords will be PHP5 million each. If caught alive, the reward will be PHP4 million 999 thousand only)” Duterte told a huge crowd celebrating his victory.
Human rights watchdogs have expressed alarm over Duterte’s approach in fighting crime. His name is linked to the killings of suspected criminals in his city by assassins known as the “Davao death squad”.
Duterte will start his six-year presidential term on June 30. We have yet to see what will happen to his threats and promises once he assumes office.
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