Duterte warns 2019 candidates not to ‘terrorize’ voters

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the awarding of 500 housing units to the personnel of the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) at the Scout Ranger Ville in San Miguel, Bulacan on December 10, 2018. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

A few months before the upcoming midterm elections, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 10, left a warning to candidates: do no “terrorize” and “intimidate” Filipino voters.

Duterte issued this remark in a speech during the awarding of 500 housing units to military troops on San Miguel, Bulacan.

“Sabihin ko lang sa mga kandidato (I want to tell the candidates) and that goes for the entire Philippines — during my watch, sa panahon ko, hindi talaga ako papayag. Ke kasama kita sa gobyerno o kasama kita sa partido o kalaban kita sa politika (during my term, I will not allow it. Even if you are with me in the government, in my party, or my enemy in politics), do not terrorize, do not intimidate, do not create fear in the voters,” Duterte said.

The President warned that it will not be the uniformed men who will arrest those who will harass the voters, but he himself will get them and tie them in an aircraft.

“Ako mismo ang maghila sa iyo. Talian kita sa leeg doon sa gilid ng eroplano. Talian kita sa gulong, paliparin ko ‘yung eroplano, t*** i** mo (I, myself, will drag you. I will tie your neck to an airplane. I will tie you to a wheel of a plane and take off. Motherf*cker),” he said.

“Hayaan mo ang tao kung sino ang piliin nila. Maski piliin nila ‘yung a — parang aso ‘yung ugali, eh pasensiya tayo (Let the people decide on who will they choose, even if they choose those with dog-like behavior. That is just too bad for us),” he added.

Moreover, Duterte also reiterated his order to government officials, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), not to support anyone in the upcoming elections.

“Do not take sides. Either for or against my party, huwag kayong makialam. Huwag kayong magkampanya (do not get yourselves involved. Do not campaign) and do not favor any candidate, whatsoever. That is the mandate of the Constitution and we will stick by it,” he ordered.

He also told his military and police force to comply with the “Alunan Doctrine” that allows politicians to have only two security escorts.

Last October, the Chief Executive earlier reiterated his promise that the next year’s election will be clean and orderly.

He added that no one, not even his allies could use government resources for their campaign.

[READ: Duterte orders uniformed men to be ‘strictly neutral’ in 2019 polls]

The Philippines is set to hold its midterm polls in May 2019.