THROWBACK
Allow me to look back at our interview with then-Mayor and now-President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte of Davao City on Kasangga Mo Ang Langit on PTV4 every Sunday, 10:30PM.
When Mayor Duterte first assumed office, Davao was a city rife with crime. Now, the city is clean, progressive, and has the lowest crime rate in the country. This is attributed to his zeal in going after criminals.
59 DRUG-RELATED DEATHS
His success in eradicating crime in the city has earned him both admirers and critics. His no-nonsense style of advancing his advocacy against illegal drugs has this effect.
In fact, this early on, there have already been 59 drug-related deaths of alleged pushers, users, and drug lords. Recently, 3 alleged drug ring members were killed after they engaged in a gun fight with policemen in a sting operation at the UP Arboretum in Diliman, Quezon City. They were alleged members of the Joselito Gonzales drug group that is operating in Quezon City and nearby cities.
There were also drug suspects killed in Sta. Marcela, Apayao; Barangay Bancal, Meycauayan, Batangas; and Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City. In Sultan Kudarat, there were some 2,000 drug suspects who surrendered ahead of President Duterte assuming office.
EYE WITNESS
At that time, I and the KMAL team went with Mayor Duterte as he made his rounds in the city. It has been his routine to inspect the streets of Davao City in his favorite Harley Davidson motorcycle. We also saw his shooting prowess on the firing range.
“If there is a criminal living here, it would be healthy for them to get out,” he said.
ONE ON ONE
I asked the Mayor about his reaction to the Time Asia Magazine’s description of him as The Punisher. He expressed his surprise at the term.
“As a public official, I am only doing my duty. I have never given undue punishment. Maybe it is because I am strict when it comes to running this city,” he said.
He also said that being called Dirty Harry was inappropriate.
“I am not dirty and my name is not Harry. I see no basis on the comparison. I do not kill people nor shoot them,” he said.
I explained that they used these descriptions probably in reference to his way of reducing crimes in the city.
“Davao was a mess back then with kidnapping, murder, and hold ups. I vowed to fight crime in the city and that is what I did,” he said.
DAVAO DEATH SQUAD
Even before, the notoriety of this alleged group has already been credited to the Mayor. A claim, that he said, is entirely false.
“All those who have been killed here are criminals. When I was elected Mayor, I swore to do my duty to protect the people. I follow the Constitution under the Bill of Rights for everything: due process and presumption of innocence. In this way, I am also responsible for any crime not solved,” he said.
He categorically denied the existence of this group. Instead, he said that DDS stands for the Davao Development System, the guiding principle of his beloved city.
Noon pa man ay idinidikit na sa kanyang pangalang ang kinatatakutang grupong tinaguriang Davao Death Squad na umano’y responsable sa mga tinatawag na summary killings ng mga kriminal.
THE ANOINTED ONE
The great politician is also likened to a great business leader. Digong gave inspiration through his actions. Many believe that his win was providential.
He is, therefore, called by some as The Anointed One.