Duterte warns of ‘radical’ action vs criminals in and out of gov’t

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte warned criminals in and out of government that he would implement “radical changes” to ensure law and order.

In a press briefing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on his return from South Korea late Tuesday night, the President hinted that he might do something drastic in the coming days.

“I am warning you, criminals, all of you, in government and outside of it, I will make radical changes in the days to come,” the President said.

He issued the warning days after he fired another presidential appointee, Celestina Ma. Jude dela Serna, as officer in charge of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for accumulating excessive travel expenses.

The President earlier sacked Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Tolentino, Office of the Government Corporate Counsel chief Rudolf Philip Jurado and Customs Deputy Commissioner Noel Patrick Sales Prudente.

The President said he might use emergency powers to fight criminality and place some officials or offices under his office.

“For those offices which cannot be really controlled, I will place you under the Office of the President. You will be facing me every single day,” he said.

The President also said “there are simply too many crimes.”

“They (foreigners) are afraid to come here, they are scared of being kidnapped and killed. Well, somehow even with this meager emergency power, I will use it to the hilt and put things in order,” he said. —Julie M. Aurelio