Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (right) has defended Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte following Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo’s statement that Naga City has achieved progress without resorting to the kind of leadership espoused by the mayor. INQUIRER PHOTO
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte stands for law and order and not violence, according to vice presidential aspirant and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Cayetano issued the statement on Saturday after Liberal Party vice presidential candidate and Rep. Leni Robredo said they were able to develop Naga City the same way Duterte improved Davao without subscribing to the mayor’s brand of leadership.
Cayetano, however, defended Duterte.
“Many of those who are moved by Mayor Duterte’s leadership are inspired by his achievements in promoting peace and good governance. They are certainly not advocates of violence as many of them are in fact victims of crime. What they want is a leader with bold solutions and swift action, a leader that will restore order, rule of law and equality. This is what Mayor Duterte and his brand of leadership bring,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said Davao City had a lower crime volume despite being bigger than Metro Manila and Naga, which had crime at “alarming levels.”
“Instead of attacking Mayor Duterte, let’s duly recognize his accomplishments, learn and find ways how his success can be replicated in other cities,” Cayetano said.
The senator cited data released by user-contributed survey site Numbeo, which said Davao was the fourth safest city in the world.
He also said the Police Regional Office in Davao reported a decrease in the entire region’s crime volume from January to March in 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
On the other hand, Cayetano said Naga’s crime rate reached alarming levels from January to July this 2015.
“On the given period, the city’s total crime volume has reached 5,692, only a few points smaller than the combined total crime volume of the other five cities in Bicol (6,026),” the senator said.
He said the city’s high crime volume may be considered alarming, especially considering its population of only 192,193.
Cayetano called for an end to “pointless political bickering” and instead work collectively in making the Philippines a safe place for Filipinos.
“Huwag na sana tayo mag-siraan. Let’s just work together in making our country safe for our people. Ang kailangan ng bansang ito ay matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon. Hindi madali ang pagsugpo sa krimen at paghuli sa masasamang loob, pero nagawa ito ni Mayor Duterte sa Davao. Kaya rin niya itong gawin sa buong bansa,” he said.