MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday called on concerned government agencies to ensure public safety after Dr. Sharmaine Barroquillo, 27, was attacked and shot by lawless elements in Maguindanao del Sur.
Barroquillo survived the attack but sustained three gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and lower back that penetrated her spinal cord.
“Ang ating panawagan ay tiyakin ng mga responsableng ahensya ng pamahalaan na ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan laban sa banta ng mga kriminal, terorista, at iba pang pwersa na nagnanais na takutin ang ating mamamayan at pahirapan ang ating bansa,” said Duterte in a recent statement.
(Our call is for concerned government agencies to protect our citizens from criminals, terrorists, and other forces that aim to intimidate our people and harm our country.)
“Magtulungan po tayo at huwag nating hayaang maghari ang mga kriminal sa ating mga komunidad (let us help each other and not allow criminals to reign in our communities),” she added.
According to Duterte, no one, especially responsible citizens and government employees like Barroquillo, should suffer violence at the hands of criminals.
“Ang nangyari sa kanya sa Buluan, Maguindanao ay isa lamang sa mga insidente ng karahasan sa buong bansa na sumasalamin sa estado ng seguridad at kaayusan ng bansa,” said Duterte.
(What happened to her in Buluan, Maguindanao is just one of the incidents of violence in the entire country that reflects the state of security and order in the nation.)
“Sana ay hindi tayo tumigil hanggang mabigyan ng hustisya ang sinapit ni Dr. Barroquillo at managot ang mga gumawa nito sa kanya,” she added.
(I hope we don’t stop until justice is served and those responsible for the attack are held accountable.)