I am sorry for my country
Rodrigo Duterte, "FULL TEXT: Duterte’s speech linking government officials to illegal drugs", The Philippine Star[1]
"I am sorry for my country" is a line from a speech made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Camp Panacan, Davao City on August 7, 2016. In the speech delivered shortly after midnight during his wake visit to four NavForEastMin soldiers killed during clashes with the New People's Army in Compostela Valley, Duterte revealed the names of 150 public officials, including mayors and other local government executives, legislators, police, military and judges, found to be involved in illegal drug trade.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] He described the drugs situation in the country as "pandemic" after 600,000 drug dealers and dependents have surrendered to the police in just one month since he took office.[2][9]
Background[edit]
Rodrigo Duterte ran his presidential campaign on a ruthless anti-crime and anti-drugs platform. Following his landslide victory in the May 2016 elections, the Philippine Drug War was launched to fulfill his campaign promise of wiping out criminality in the country within six months.[10]
The "I am sorry for my country" speech was not the first time that Duterte named and shamed government officials with links to illegal drugs. In his speech before military personnel at the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force in Clark Air Base on July 5, 2016, he read out the names of five Philippine National Police (PNP) generals who he said "contributed to the deterioration of law and order in this country."[11] They were retired Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr., National Capital Region Police Director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, Quezon City Police Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, Western Visayas Police Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, and retired Chief Superintendent and now Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot.[2] Saying he was "compelled by sense of duty" to inform the public, Duterte also ordered the five generals relieved from service and to report to PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa within 24 hours to undergo investigation.[2]
Ten days later, on July 15, 2016, Duterte revealed that a list of politicians with links to the narcotics trade was presented to him by intelligence agencies and that he would announce their names once the information was validated.[12]
On August 1, 2016, Duterte through a statement read by Malacañang Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella identified the first "narco-politician" as Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. whom he ordered to surrender to PNP General dela Rosa within 24 hours together with his drug lord son after the mayor's staff were arrested during a buy-and-bust operation where police seized P1.9 million worth of methamphetamine.[13] Four days later, three local government officials, Maguing Mayor Mamaulan Abinal Molok, Ampatuan Mayor Rasul Sangki, and former Marantao Mayor Mohammad Ali Abinal, voluntarily surrendered to the PNP ahead of the announcement of Duterte's "narco list".[14]
Speech[edit]
In the early hours of August 7, 2016, during his visit to the wake of four soldiers killed by the New People's Army (NPA) at the NavForEastMin headquarters in Davao, Duterte criticized the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), whom his administration was pursuing peace talks with, for using land mines. He began his speech by citing the Geneva Conventions.
| “ | I would like to address myself to the Communist Party of the Philippines, I would like to talk to you about rules of war.
Kasi po [Because], if it is to your advantage, and I have been around in government for the last 40 years, you are the very first to cry foul when something goes wrong, even in the handling of prisoners. Marami pong sundalo na dinemanda ninyo [You have accused many of our soldiers] under ‘yang [that] Geneva Convention in the handling of prisoners. But, one of the important and maybe a very humane provision, ‘yang binabawal po ‘yung [is the prohibition of (the use) of] land mine.[1] |
” |
Even as the government and the CPP-NPA have earlier stated their commitment to seek an end to the CPP-NPA-NDF conflict, Duterte had also earlier expressed his disappointment at CPP founder Jose Maria Sison for failing to reciprocate his government's ceasefire declaration made during his First State of the Nation Address. Duterte warned the CPP that if they fail to include the prohibition of land mines in the scheduled peace talks in Oslo, his government would pull out from the talks and continue the war for another 45 years.[1][3]
Right after his short address to the CPP, Duterte proceeded to his report on the "narco list" which he promised earlier to reveal and which he claimed to have come from military and police intelligence. Duterte said:
| “ | Now, I am reading now the personalities in the Philippines. It might be true, it might not be true.
But then, ‘yung sinasabi ninyong [those of you saying] due process, isa yan [that's one thing]. Baka sakaling mademanda itong mga taong ito [If these people are filed with charges], administrative or criminal, then this should have due process. Presumption of innocence. Lahat ‘yan sa [They are all provided in the] Constitution, ibigay ko ‘yan [I will give it to them].[1] |
” |
Noting that he is only performing his sworn duty as President to inform the public on matters of their own security and doing it as part of his campaign to cleanse and purge the government of illegal drugs and corruption, Duterte then presented the enormity of the drugs problem in the Philippines. He stated that there were 3 million drug dealers and users in the country in 2014 based on a report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. He added that this number has gone up in the last two years and that 92% of all villages in Metro Manila are now contaminated with drugs.[1]
Before announcing the names of narco officials on the list, Duterte narrated how some of those officials he would be naming had been his friends and some even supported him in the presidential campaign. However, he also said that he would rather resign as President than be tied to them.[1] Duterte blamed the government officials for what he called a drug pandemic by saying:
| “ | Kaya umabot tayo ng 600,000, buong Pilipinas kasi may naglaro. Gaano ba kadali bakit napakarami po [We have reached 600,000 (pushers and users who surrendered) because the whole Philippines was being toyed around with. How easy was it and why are there so many (drug dependents)]? How is it that it is in this magnitude? It is because government personnel were into it.[1] | ” |
Duterte then began reading the names of the 150 public officials while also describing the specific cases or involvement in the illegal drug trade of some of those politicians.[1][3][4][15]
| Official | Position | LGU |
|---|---|---|
| Afdal, Abubakar Abdul Karim | Mayor | Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur |
| Aguilera, Jessie | Mayor | Alegria, Surigao del Norte |
| Ali, Omar Solitario | Mayor | Marawi, Lanao del Sur |
| Alingan, Bobby | Mayor | Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte |
| Amante, Vicente | Mayor | San Pablo, Laguna |
| Amboy, Francis Ansing | Mayor | Maasin, Iloilo |
| Bietbeta, Wilfredo | Mayor | Carles, Iloilo |
| Cañamaque, Beda | Mayor | Basay, Negros Oriental |
| Castillo, Felix | Mayor | Langiden, Abra |
| Celeste, Jesus | Mayor | Bolinao, Pangasinan |
| Celis, Jeffrey | Congressman | ? |
| Dadayan, Muhammad Ali Abinal Jamal | Mayor | Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur |
| De Guzman, Martin | Mayor | Bauang, La Union |
| Derigel, Eufronio | Mayor | Agoo, La Union |
| Dimaukom, Nida | Vice Mayor | Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Maguindanao |
| Dimaukom, Samsudin | Mayor | Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Maguindanao |
| Dolor, Ryan | Mayor | Bauan, Batangas |
| Echavez, Nova Princess Parojinog | Vice Mayor | Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental |
| Espinosa, Rolando | Mayor | Albuera, Leyte |
| Flores, Reynaldo | Mayor | Naguilian, La Union |
| Garcia, Dante | Mayor | Tubao, La Union |
| Janihim, Gamar Ahay | Mayor | Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte |
| Mabilog, Jed | Mayor | Iloilo City, Iloilo |
| Macabago, Rasmiyah | Congressman | Lanao del Sur |
| Macabago, Sabdullah | Mayor | Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur |
| Macadatu, Muslim Aline | Mayor | Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur |
| Malones, Marcelo | Mayor | Maasin, Iloilo |
| Miranda, Jose | Mayor | Santiago, Isabela |
| Montawal, Otto | Vice Mayor | Datu Montawal, Maguindanao |
| Montawal, Vicman | Mayor | Datu Montawal, Maguindanao |
| Morales, Marino | Mayor | Mabalacat, Pampanga |
| Nava, JC Rahman | Congressman | Guimaras |
| Navarro, David | Mayor | Clarin, Misamis Occidental |
| Ong, Hector | Mayor | Laoang, Northern Samar |
| Ong, Madeleine | Mayor | Laoang, Northern Samar |
| Pacificador, Julius Ronald | Mayor | Hamtic, Antique |
| Parojinog, Reynaldo | Mayor | Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental |
| Parojinog, Ricardo | Board Member | Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental |
| Pesina, Antonio | Mayor | Iloilo City, Iloilo |
| Plagata, Erwin Tongtong | Mayor | Iloilo City, Iloilo |
| Rama, Michael | Mayor | Cebu City, Cebu |
| Ramin, Yusufa Munder Bobong | Mayor | Iligan, Lanao del Norte |
| Romarate, Guillermo Jr. | Congressman | Surigao del Norte |
| Sabal, Abdul Wahab | Vice Mayor | Talitay, Maguindanao |
| Sabal, Montaser | Mayor | Talitay, Maguindanao |
| Sabalones, Fralz | Mayor | San Fernando, Cebu |
| Salasal, Norodin | Mayor | Datu Salibo, Maguindanao |
| Salazar, Marjorie Apil | Mayor | Lasam, Cagayan |
| Salik, Arafat | Vice Mayor | Marawi, Lanao del Sur |
| Salik, Fahad | Mayor | Marawi, Lanao del Sur |
| Sangki, Rasul | Mayor | Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Maguindanao |
| Sentina, Alex | Mayor | Calinog, Iloilo |
| Trinidad, Edgardo | Vice Mayor | El Nido, Palawan |
| Tulawie, Benahar | Mayor | Talipao, Sulu |
| Violago, Goto | Mayor | San Rafael, Bulacan |
| Note: The list includes both incumbent and former officials. | ||
| Judge | LGU | |
|---|---|---|
| Casiple | Kalibo, Aklan | |
| Dagala, Ezekiel | Dapa, Surigao del Norte | |
| Gonzales, Rene | Iloilo City, Iloilo | |
| Mupas | Dasmariñas, Cavite | |
| Natividad | Calbayog, Samar | |
| Reyes | Baguio, Benguet | |
| Savilo | Iloilo City, Iloilo | |
| Note: The list includes both active and retired judges. | ||
After expressing his thoughts on earlier criticisms from non-governmental organizations against the campaign, Duterte then began revealing the names of 95 law enforcement and army officers, both active and retired.[2] He reiterated that performing police officers who killed in the performance of their duty will get his protection and pardon, while those that have "allowed themselves to be used" will not get any deliverance from him. He further warned:
| “ | Administratively, you’re dead. You separate yourself from the PNP. Do not destroy the young men and women who are true to their country diyan [there]. Huwag ninyong sirain ang [Do not tarnish (the image of) the] PNP. Huwag ninyong sirain ang [Do not tarnish (the image of) the] Armed Forces.[1] | ” |
By the time he had reached over a hundred drug personality names, Duterte paused for breath, and with a sad tone, he continued:
| “ | I am sorry for my country. I grieve for the agony and suffering of the Republic of the Philippines.[1] | ” |
Duterte announced that those he named are relieved of their assignments and that their firearms licenses and permits had also been revoked. He also instructed the police to report to their mother units in PNP and the army to the AFP Chief of Staff within 24 hours for their investigation.[2]
The local government officials named were ordered to report to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the congressmen to their Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the judges to the Supreme Court, all within 24 hours. They were also told that their firearms licenses and permits had been cancelled and that the local government officials were being stripped of their supervision powers over local police.[2]
Towards the end of the speech, Duterte reiterated that he was taking full responsibility for the listing and the revalidation of the list submitted by his intelligence officers.[1][2]
Reaction[edit]
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno wrote a letter to Duterte with regards to the judges he named as part of the list of officials alleged to be involved in the illegal drug trade.[16] She expressed her concern on the safety and performance of duty of those judges and called the announcement by Duterte as "premature". In the letter, Sereno also informed the President that Judge Natividad of the Regional Trial Court of Calbayog has been dead since 2008, that Judge Mupas of Dasmariñas had already been dismissed for gross misconduct since 2007, and that Judge Gonzales of the Metropolitan Trial Court of Iloilo City already retired in June 2016. She cautioned those four other judges against surrendering to the police without a warrant of arrest.[17] After a verbal tussle with the President on the legality of his order to the judges and the threat of a martial law arising from a potential constitutional crisis, Sereno eventually agreed to investigate their judges and ordered the PNP and PDEA to submit their formal complaints.[18]
Senator Leila de Lima expressed concerns over the inaccuracies on the President's narco list after a few of those identified have been found to be already dead, or had a different position. She also said there were some names there, "maybe a handful, whom I find hard to believe to be involved in drugs."[19]
Former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada expressed his support for the name and shame campaign of President Duterte. He said that if Duterte does not go after and shame these elected officials, "pretty soon we will have top government officials, even senators, who are in cahoots with drug syndicates."[20]
Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz also voiced his support for Duterte's campaign and said he was "slowly being impressed by his leadership because he means business." While maintaining that he still has doubts with the drug-related killings, he also said he is confident that the President "will fix it" and that Duterte is serious about eliminating the drug menace when he said he was "not afraid to die and is even willing to put his friends in jail."[21]
Public reaction[edit]
Public reaction to I am sorry for my country has been very enthusiastic and largely "supportive," particularly online.[22] On Facebook, where the "narco list" has been published by several national news outlets, many of the Philippines' 47 million Facebook users have expressed their support for Duterte's hard line on drugs and their desire to see justice handed out to institutional backers of the drug trade. The news link from Inquirer.net alone received 40,800 shares on the day it was published.[22]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 "FULL TEXT: Duterte's speech linking government officials to illegal drugs". The Philippine Star. August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Duterte names officials linked to drugs". Rappler. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "FULL TRANSCRIPT: Duterte's exposé vs drug-tagged officials". ABS-CBN News. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "(TRANSCRIPT) President Rodrigo Roa Duterte speech [Delivered in the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Panacan, Davao City on August 7, 2016]". Manila Bulletin. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ McKirdy, E. (8 August 2016). "Philippine President names top officials allegedly linked to drug trade". CNN. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ↑ "Rodrigo Duterte links 150 judges and politicians to drugs trade". The Guardian. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ↑ Villamor, F. (7 August 2016). "Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine President, Links 150 Public Servants to Drugs". New York Times. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ↑ Dancel, R. (7 August 2016). "Duterte tells 150 Philippine lawmakers, judges, security personnel linked to drugs trade to surrender". The Straits Times. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ↑ Gomez, J. (7 August 2016). "Philippine leader links 150 judges, politicians to drugs". Associated Press. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ "Duterte sworn in as Philippines president". Reuters. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ Ranada, P. (5 July 2016). "Duterte names alleged police generals in drug trade". Rappler. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ Romero, A. (17 July 2016). "Palace: List of gov't officials with alleged drug links 'will make you vomit'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ Sabillo, K.A. (1 August 2016). "Duterte to Leyte mayor, son: Surrender or 'die'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ Francisco, K. (5 August 2016). "'Drug' mayors surrender to PNP chief". Rappler. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ Corrales, N. (7 August 2016). "Rody names politicians, judges, cops allegedly into illegal drugs". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ "Sereno writes Duterte about her concerns on judges linked to illegal drugs". GMA News. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- ↑ Punay, E. (9 August 2016). "Sereno to Duterte: No warrant, no surrender". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ Adel, R. (16 August 2016). "SC orders PNP, PDEA chiefs to submit drug complaints vs 'narco judges'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ 8 August 2016. "De Lima deplores 'inaccuracies' on Duterte drug list". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
- ↑ Mangunay, K.F. (8 August 2016). "Estrada backs Duterte's shame campaign". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ↑ "He means business: Duterte anti-drug campaign gets archbishop's nod". ABS-CBNnews.com. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Hale, E. (8 August 2016). "Facebook fired up after Philippines' Duterte releases 'narco' list". Forbes. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
This article "I am sorry for my country" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
