President Rodrigo Duterte. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte warned politicians on Monday, months before the 2019 midterm elections, not to “terrorize” and “harass” voters.
Duterte gave the warning on Monday during the turnover of housing units to military troops in San Miguel, Bulacan.
“I would like just to inform, tell the candidates — and that goes for the entire Philippines — during my watch, in my time, di talaga ako papayag. Ke kasama kita sa gobyerno, kasama kita sa partido o kalaban kita sa politika, do not terrorize, do not intimidate, do not create fear in the voters,” he said.
[I would like just to inform, tell the candidates — and that goes for the entire Philippines — during my watch, in my time, I won’t allow it. Whether you’re a colleague in government, a political ally, or a political opponent, do not terrorize, do not intimidate, do not create fear in the voters.]
“Pag ginawa niyo niyan ako mismo pupunta doon at ako mismo mag-aresto sa iyo at ako mismo maghila sa iyo. Talian kita sa leeg. Talian kita sa gulong paliparin ko yung eroplano,” he said. “Do it some other time but not here. Do not ever ever terrorize, harass a Filipino voter.”
[If you do that, I myself will go to you and arrest you and drag you. I will tie you around the next. I will tie to a wheel of a plane and take off.]
He told candidates to let voters decide according to their preference.
“Hayaan mo ang tao kung sino ang piliin nila — maski piliin nila yung parang aso ‘yung ugali. E pasensiya tayo. That’s the will of the people. It’s the will of God. Iyon ang pinili ng tao. Eh di pasensiya. You might not like him, but if it’s their free will, it’s the choice of the people. Do not mess it up,” he said.
[Let the people choose who they want – even if they choose someone who behaves like a dog. That’s just too bad for us. That’s the will of the people. It’s the will of God. That’s who the people chose. That’s just too bad for us. You might not like him, but if it’s their free will, it’s the choice of the people. Do not mess it up.]
He also ordered the police and the military not to take sides.
“One thing also is we are observing the election period,” he said. “I would like to remind everybody in government, everybody, lalo na ang armed forces, pati na ang police: Do not take sides either for or against my party. Huwag kayong makiaalam.”
[I would like to remind everybody in government, especially the armed force and the police: Do not take sides either for or against my party. Don’t meddle.”
“Huwag kayong magkampanya [Don’t campaign for] and do not favor any candidate whatsoever,” he added. “That is the mandate of the Constitution. And we will stick by it.” /atm