Philippine Local News

Leni hits Duterte’s ‘violence’ campaign

November 28, 2015 Philippine Local News

Administration vice presidential candidate and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo warned yesterday that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s message of violence in his campaign could be dangerous for the public mindset.

Robredo was referring to Duterte’s strong statements on fighting criminality, including those attributed to him calling for the execution of drug pushers, rapist-murderers and other criminals.

“To a certain extent it could be dangerous, pushing for radical means of achieving objectives,” Robredo told STAR editors, columnists and reporters.

She acknowledged that Duterte’s strongman image appeals to certain voters, but noted it was uncertain whether such a platform would remain appealing in the long run.

“There may be a clamor for that particular kind of leadership style and he sort of fills that need,” Robredo said.

“I don’t subscribe to that kind of leadership. It may have worked in other places, but from my personal experience, we don’t have to resort to those things,” she said.

Duterte is accused of tolerating or even leading summary executions of drug pushers as well as petty criminals in Davao City.

Robredo said in Naga City, where she hails from, peace and order was maintained through active and collaborative participation of ordinary citizens in local governance, including reducing criminality.

“It’s a matter of changing the mindset. What happened (in Naga City) was that people were not just beneficiaries (of government) but they became partners. The people’s council was a fiscalizer, a balancer of the local government and they’re involved in all aspects of governance – budgeting, peace and order – and they’re not armed civilians,” she said.

Robredo, however, said Duterte may be talking tough but it does not mean his statements have to be taken literally.

Duterte on Thursday said more funeral parlors should be put up in the country once he becomes president, as he expects drug pushers to be put to death.

Source: Philippine Star

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