Duterte threatens to have transport ‘barkers’ run over

Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte INQUIRER MINDANAO FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—After threatening to kill rice smugglers, drug addicts and other criminals, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is now venting his ire on transport “barkers” for allegedly molesting female passengers and mulcting jeepney drivers.

“Shape up or I will have you run over,” Duterte told 41 “barkers” brought to him after they were rounded up by traffic police along a stretch of  Uyanguren street around 9 p.m. Thursday.

Barkers call out to jeepney riders and collect fees for that from the drivers.

But Duterte said jeepney drivers have started complaining that the barkers were demanding more money from them when payment of their  “fees” is supposed to be voluntary. They allegedly also molest women by touching them maliciously as they board jeepneys.

“I told you not to touch women, no  body contact,” Duterte said.

He also blamed the barkers for causing traffic jams by loading passengers in the middle of the streets.

“I understand you need to earn a living, but you’ve been demanding a certain amount from drivers, whose operations are legal, while your activity is against the law,” Duterte said.

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