NBI ordered to arrest ‘wheeler-dealers’ using Duterte’s name

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to work double time in arresting people using his name and those of Cabinet members to bag deals for government projects.

In a taped speech, Duterte said he wanted NBI personnel to bring the said individuals to his office in Malacañan before they are sent to jail.

“I am calling on the NBI to double their time pangpahuli nito. Hulihin ninyo ito tapos kung ano…ma-detain ninyo ‘yan sa gabi, bago niyo dalhin sa korte, idaan mo nga sa Malacañang. Tingnan ko lang ang pagmumukha nito (Arrest them and before you detain them, bring them to Malacañang. I want to see their faces),” he said.

He lamented that there were some who had to go as far as pretend that they knew him personally, even show photos together to get favor in government.

“Yung gamitan ng pangalan, alam mo kami pulitiko, lalo na nung eleksyon kung sino lumapit samin magpa-photo…e di pulitiko, boto ‘yun e. Ngayon peace time na, tapos na ang eleksyon, itong lokohan na pakita nila katabi ko sila, o sa kasal magkumare kumpare kami tapos may nilalakad tapos sabihin na lalakarin namin yung papel mo, bigyan mo kami ng down payment (The use of our names…you know politicians ,especially during election, are approached by lots of people to take photos. That’s a possible vote. Now elections are over, they fool you by showing that we’re standing next to each other or that we’re co-mother-in-law or co-father-in-law in a wedding, and they process these papers and give down payment),” he said.

However, he added that these “parasites” did not have to use his or Cabinet officials’ names if the deals they offered were actually clean.

“Pag binanggit yung pangalan ni (If they mention the name of) Secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana, Secretary (Carlito) Galvez, Secretary (Francisco) Duque, pag ginamit yung mga pangalan nila sa mga contract, the mere fact na nagamit yung pangalan, wala ‘yan (if they use their names to secure contracts, that means they have corrupt intentions),” he said. “Ito yung mga parasites, mga linta (These are the parasites, the leeches)) and they thrive on the gullible. Pati yung (Even the) naïve, na lolokohin mo kapwa tao (they would fool their fellowmen). Kung straight ka, ang contract mo maganda, kumpleto, walang kulang (If you’re straight and your contract is good, complete, nothing is lacking), you do not have to convince anybody that it is really good because it is really good,” he added.

Duterte said he wanted to personally speak to such individuals to ask them why they had to result to such unscrupulous activities.

“Para matapos na ito, lahat sa NBI, pati pulis, sa lahat ng mahuli ninyo sa mga ganun, dalhin ninyo sa opisina ko. Gusto ko lang sila kausapin. Gusto ko lang makausap bakit ganyan ang hanapbuhay nila kasi lokohan e. ‘Yan ang problema diyan. Alam mo, walang manloloko, kung walang magpapaloko (To put an end to this, all NBI, even police, all those you arrest, bring them to my office. I want to speak to them. I want to ask them why they’re making it they’re livelihood to fool people. That’s the problem. You know, no one will cheat if no one allows to be cheated),” he said.