Duterte: Beheadings must stop; Roxas: Extinguish Abu Sayyaf, save captives

MANILA — Beheadings must stop.  This was the curt reaction of Davao City Mayor and presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte on the beheading of Canadian John Ridsdel by his Abu Sayyaf kidnappers on Monday (Apr. 25).
Duterte, who was in North Cotabato, to facilitate the release of a soldier from the New People’s Army, refused to comment at length on the beheading.

“It’s too early to comment,” he said. “I’m not yet the president of the Philippines. But this has to stop,” he added.

In Negros Occidental, Liberal Party presidential candidate Mar Roxas expressed his outrage over Ridsdel’s beheading.

“The Abu Sayyaf Group must be extinguished,” he told a press conference in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

“I am outraged by the horrific murder of Mr. John Ridsel  at the hands of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf. The full force of the state and of the law must be applied to apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.

He said that since the abduction of Ridsel and the other hostages was reported, all means have been sought to free them.

“Let us double our efforts. Let us not give up hope that the others can be rescued,” he said,  as he appealed for the cooperation and support of all in this mission.

“Terrorism is bullying at its most worst  form,” he said. “Why kill a defenseless man just to make a point.”

“Terrorism preys on the weak and defenseless. Where is the courage in hurting let alone killing a defenseless person. It does not make you strong. It does not further your cause. It only leads to fear and subjugation which we know is your true purpose and we will not be cowed by that,” he said.

Roxas extended his condolences to  the family, loved ones and fellow citizens of  Ridsel.

“The terrorists Abu Sayyaf should be should be neutralized and face the immeasurable consequences of their brutality and inhumanity,” he said.

He said the 400 Abu Sayyaf members reported to have massed up on Sulu Island, should not be allowed to escape, and should be finished off.

“There is no room for the brutality exercised by the Abu Sayyaf…they must be extinguished,” he said.

The Abu Sayyaf killed Ridsdel on Monday and dumped his head on a Jolo street, Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding another Canadian, a Filipina and a Norwegian resort manager.  SFM

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Koko believes no backing out this time, Duterte will run for president

 Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will no longer back out from the presidential race, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) president, said Monday.

“Basta ito lang ang masasabi ko: Sa point of view ko, 'yung narinig ng tenga ko e 100 percent nang tatakbo. As far as I’m concerned, wala na pong atrasan,” Pimentel told reporters when asked about Duterte’s pronouncement over the weekend.

He said he spoke with Duterte Saturday evening.

In the past, Duterte seemed to be flip-flopping on his decision to seek higher post.

Earlier this month,  Duterte expressed disappointment on the government’s failure to act on the alleged laglag-bala scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, saying it could compel him to run for president.

But a week later, the Davao City mayor said being PDP-Laban’s standard bearer was just "press release" as has yet to receive a document that officially names him as the substitute presidential candidate of the party.

Pimentel said the party is very happy that they now finally have a presidential candidate.

“Finally meron na kaming presidential candidate so that means, although we intended all the time to be relevant in the 2016 elections, now we will not only be relevant, we will be at the forefront or at the center of the action,” he said.

“We are so happy that our strongest candidate for president is the one who is now our candidate. Nag-improve ang aming positioning,” he added.

Pimentel said he already signed Sunday a new certificate of nomination and acceptance for Duterte.

He said the Davao mayor will substitute for Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) chairman Martin Diño who earlier filed a certificate of candidacy for president. Diño later withdrew it upon learning that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) law department is considering declaring him a nuisance candidate.

Asked how they will fund the candidacy of Duterte, Pimentel said they will match the financial resources of other political parties with their energy.

“Wala na kaming ambition to match the budget of the other candidates but we will match their energy,” he said.

He also asked the Comelec not to look down on candidates who do not have funds to mount a campaign.

“Ang gusto nating mensahe sa Comelec na dapat hindi nila itrato 'yung eleksyon na pera-pera lamang, na just because 'yung nominee ng partido ay hindi kilala at hindi bilyonaryo o multi-millionaire e sa mata nila nuisance na. Dapat hindi tayo ganun mag-isip,” he said.

“Kahit na si Mayor Duterte is also middle class. Hindi dapat tignan ng Comelec ang kanyang  economic class para sabihing walang kakayahan na maging  credible candidate for president kasi ang kampanya pagkapresidente hindi lang naman isang tao. You cannot win this by your lonesome so kailangan ng tulungan,” he added.

The senator said the supporters of Duterte and their party members are scattered all over the country.

“Kahit hindi po kami mayayamang tao, we can still campaign for him using energy not money. It is not only the party. Outside of the party maraming tutulong kay Mayor Duterte. Ang buong Mindanao ay tutulong sa kanya,” he said.

He added they will respect Duterte’s policy on getting donations.

“Kung ayaw niya tumanggap sa ibang tao, we will respect it kasi ganun din naman kami, ganun din ako,” he said.

Pimentel has yet to confirm if Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is the running mate of Duterte but he said they have no problem with Cayetano.

“Step by step lang po. Sabi ko mag-file muna ng presidente bago namin pag-isipan kung sino ang vice. Pagkatapos ng vice, bababa naman kami sa senatorial,” he said.

He believes Duterte will file the certificate of nomination and acceptance without any fanfare.

“Judging from the historical record of Mayor Duterte, he used to file his COC for mayor in a low profile manner—walang motorcade, walang parada, walang drum and bugle. So 'yung timetable hindi ko masagot. Maybe we will just be surprised na naka-file na pala,” he said.

On the senatorial lineup, Pimentel said they “have no more choice except to choose from those who have filed. Adoption na lang.” —KG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com