Duterte furious at ‘laglag-bala,’ extortionists going scot-free

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said that if he were the president of the country, he would force policemen and airport employees involved in the “laglag bala” racket to swallow the bullets they planted in travellers’ bags.

“I have no ambition for it but if I were president, I would force you to swallow bullets. I do not care if you will die. If it will get stuck in your anus, then I will have you undergo medical operation to enlarge its opening,” Duterte said in his Sunday TV show Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.

The mayor, who has been egged on by his supporters to run for president, said that he was skeptical about the arrests made in Manila and recently at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City because it has been going on for the past years in the nation’s capital.

“Many were already arrested. But all cases were settled. I do not believe it anymore,” Duterte said.

A 60-year-old engineer who was in the city for a water project, was arrested by airport security in Davao City after they found two live ammunition in his bag.

“I think the bullets were already planted in his cargo in Manila,” Duterte said, adding that the prosecutors in Davao must study the case carefully to ensure justice.

Duterte said the planting of the bullets could happen inside the cargo area, a place not visible to the public, and that only airline employees and policemen have been given access to it.

“So that is really a syndicate. It’s happening inside and it’s also happening outside,” Duterte said.

“I am warning those who are in cahoots with the police. You just pray that it is not true because I do not believe it anymore. Most of those who were arrested are innocent people. It is incredible. Some are missionaries and they have .22 or 9mm bullets? And they do not have firearms?” Duterte added.

“If you are in Davao I will kill you all. If I were president, you will all be exterminated. I will order your execution within 48 hours. I will order the clean policemen and soldiers to do it. If not, I will ask the New People’s Army. Where is the SPARU (Special Partisan Unit)? Let us use that,” Duterte said.  SFM