Duterte Remains Undaunted by Threats of Uprising, Even Offers to Provide Transportation To Would-Be Ousters

“Sino yung may gusto ng himagsikan? Sige. You want that? Go ahead, you have my blessing. If I find later that I am the only one defending the government, I would be happy to go down. Go ahead. Walang problema. Wala akon illusions diyan about staying or fighting. Himagsikan? Go ahead. I encourage you to do it. Pag lahat ng Pilipino naniwala diyan sa kabila, then you participate in the rally. And I assure you I would even send trucks for your transportation."

 This is what President Rodrigo R. Duterte said in a press conference at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang last Monday, August 21, in the face of threats of uprising from groups who heavily disagree with the way he runs his War on Drugs and, on a bigger scale, the country.

 Aside from offering transportation, Duterte also issued a challenge should there be "a change of president and everything". Maybe the new generation will come up with a government that is really working, he said.

 Regarding threats of a coup d'etat, the president dismisses the need for such a useless act.
"Coup d’etat? No need for the military to fight the PSG. Puro sundalo yan sila, magkaclassmate yan sa academy eh, PMA. Bakit kayo magpatayan? Sabihin lang ninyo kung gusto ninyo, junta kung gusto ninyo, o sige, dito. And I will swear them into office. And it’s not because I’m afraid. They can shoot me after. But do not engage in coup d etat. But ngayon, Kung may uprising, the least that I could do is really to say my word: go ahead."

  A junta, by the way, is a military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force.

 The president wishes to remind everyone that he promise three things even during his campaign for presidency; the same three things that he is trying his best to make happen right now: stop the scourge of drugs, stop corruption in the government, and make the country stable by going after criminals. Any kind of criminal.

 And while President Duterte freely admits that abuse occurs even in the police force, he also issued a warning to policemen who are doing illegal activities and destroying the credibility of the force and, by extension, the government.

 Duterte swears that he will come after criminal policemen. He also called out, in general, policemen who are riding luxury vehicles,implying that the public knows exactly how much a cop's salary is worth. "Alam ng taong hanggang diyan ka lang." He added that he was not saying this merely to insult policemen, recalling that one of the first things he ensured was for the salary of law enforcers to be double by next year.

 Bottomline, President Rodrigo R. Duterte is still unafraid, still unfazed and still undaunted by any threats that may come from any direction. Woe to those who come between him and his will to serve and protect the country.

Source: PTV