Duterte ensures fair, peaceful elections

President Rodrigo Duterte (Screengrab from PCOO / Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday ensured that the May 9 national and local elections will be free from cheating and violence.

Duterte, in his interview with Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, said he will not allow terrorism or intimidation during the May elections.

“Ang sinabi ko lang, I will never, never, never condone election-related violence. Hindi talaga ako papayag na terrorism or intimidation. This is for those who believe in me and those who do not. Do not do it. Kasi I will see to it na itong election na ito malinis at walang dayaan, walang patayan, sa panahon ko,” he said.

(I will never, never, never condone election-related violence. I will not let terrorism or intimidation prevail. This is for those who believe in me and those who do not. Do not do it. I will see to it that the elections will be fair and free from cheating and killings under my term.)

“Maghanap kayo ng ibang Presidente. Wag ninyong gawin sa akin kasi pupuntahan talaga kita,” he added.

(Find another president. Don’t do it under my term because I will really go after you.)

Duterte said he spoke with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to ensure that the elections are free of violence and intimidation.

The President also warned candidates not create an “artificial scenery” where the environment will not be conducive for fair and honest polls.

“O kaya maghanap ka ng ibang presidente. Huwag sa panahon ko. Sinasabi ko ‘yan sa kapartido ko, sa kasama ko, whatever, kaibigan ko o kalaban ko na hindi ko kinakausap,” he said.

“I will see to it and I will guarantee to all candidates I will be neutral, and the military and the police will see to it that the mandate by the Constitution upon their shoulders will produce a clean and honest elections,” he added.

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