Bishop doubts death threats on Aquino

MANILA, Philippines—Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, a staunch critic of the Aquino administration, on Monday laughed off the alleged death threat on the President, saying that only “brilliant and competent” leaders would get such a threat.

But Cruz agreed to calls in Congress to provide President Aquino with a new bullet-proof vehicle as the chief executive had the privilege of maximum protection and security.

“I am not objecting to that… it’s even good that he would have a new toy so he can have a good time,” added the prelate. “Let’s give it to him and let Juan de la Cruz endure hunger.”

Over Church-run Radio Veritas on Monday, Cruz said Aquino’s “incompetence” would be enough reason for anybody to just stop plotting to kill him.

“If there’s someone angry with him, I don’t think it will come to a point that that person would want to kill him. I think that is too much to ask,” said Cruz, who has been disappointed with Aquino primarily due to his inaction on the prevalence of jueteng.

“Why would anyone want to kill him, he is incompetent… Ang pinapatay ay ’yong talagang magagaling, matitindi at talagang mahuhusay. ’Yon, talagang pinapatay ang mga ’yon (The ones killed are those who are really good at what they do, who are excellent. Those are the people who need to be killed by some people),” said Cruz.

Aquino’s allies in Congress are pushing for Resolution No. 2191, which seeks to replace the 5-year-old presidential vehicle being used by the Presidential Security Group and acquire a bullet-proof and bomb-proof car for the country’s leader.

The proposal was pushed by the so-called Movement 188 – a group of lawmakers in Congress who signed the articles of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment – following claims by Malacañang that Aquino was getting threats from his political enemies.