Duterte: ‘I see very dangerous times ahead’
President Rodrigo Duterte addresses lawmakers attending the appreciation party at the Manila Hotel of outgoing House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. (Photo from an RTVM video)
MANILA, Philippines — Sensing “very dangerous times ahead,” President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday the government should continue its efforts in increasing the capabilities of the military and the police.
Speaking at the Manila Hotel during the appreciation dinner for outgoing Speaker Gloria Arroyo, Duterte said he intended to leave Malacañang in 2022 with a strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) equipped to face the enemies of the state.
He then asked Congress to support his administration by pushing for measures to ensure a stronger AFP.
“I hope that by the time I make my exit all that would be in place. I am not belittling the events to come, or the person coming in to be the next President. I don’t know who. I’d rather leave with a strong military and police [that are] equipped to challenge the enemies of the state, especially terrorism,” he said.
The President said he could feel his hands “sweating” just thinking of the possibility of dealing with terrorism on a broader scope.
Article continues after this advertisement“I see very dangerous times ahead. And I hope that we will be able to contain whatever there is really to… My hands sweat just thinking about [what would happen] if it would go awry outside of Sulu and Basilan Islands,” the President, speaking partly in Filipino, said.
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Though acknowledging that AFP had already acquired valuable assets, the President insisted that there were still “instruments” needed in fighting terrorism.
He said he might call for a discussion on how the government would face terrorism in the years to come.
“One of these days, I will call for a time to talk at ease and we’ll talk about it because it is really needed by the country,” he said.
The President made the remark just a week after he asked whoever his successor would be to sustain the AFP Modernization Program and take care of the needs of uniformed personnel.
READ: Duterte hopes successor will sustain AFP modernization
(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)
