No martial law but strong-arm leadership ‘til 2022 – Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte. AP FILE

DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said that he would be stern in his remaining days in office, threatening to order the arrest of urban poor seizing government housing and the shooting of suspected drug pushers.

Speaking during the birthday celebration of former Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano at the Marco Polo Hotel here, Duterte said he would devote the second half of his six-year term to ensure law and order in the country by fighting illegal drugs and corruption.

“I will not declare martial law (but) I will go for the strongest tools in my hands,” President Duterte said, adding, “Let’s have order in this country. You are into a rampage which I have to stop.”

The President said that even if he would fail his mandate after his term, he would still want the respect of the people.

Duterte called on informal settlers, particularly members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) to stop occupying housing complexes for soldiers and police and other idle government properties or he would order their arrest.

“If you resist violently, my order is simply to shoot. From now on, there will be no more confiscation of other people’s property,” the Chief Executive warned.

He said he would ask Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones to work for the distribution of idle government lands that could be suitable to farming.

“I’m giving it to you, just wait,” the President said. /cbb