|
Monday, May 30, 2005
Arroyo confronts mayor on 'vigilante' killings
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reportedly confronted Mayor Rodrigo Duterte over the issue on vigilante-style killings in Davao City, believed perpetrated by the Davao Death Squad, which already claimed 90 lives this year.
In his weekly television program, Duterte admitted that Arroyo asked him about the issue on the summary executions in the city and the public notion that he is behind the dreaded vigilante group.
"One of the issues raised during her visit here (last Thursday) was DDS. Tiningnan nya ako, and I asked her bakit ka nakatingin sa akin ma'am? Kala mo ako ang DDS? Mutuo pud diay ka sa tsismis? Di man sya umimik. Mitan-aw lang sya ngadto sa mga tao," Duterte said.
The mayor said the president did not further discuss the issue, adding that she might have liked his way of running the city through DDS.
But Duterte was quick to explain that the DDS he was referring to was the Davao Development System and not the vigilante group.
Arroyo secretly visited several cities in Mindanao last week for some private consultations with several sectors. Last Wednesday, Arroyo was in Cagayan de Oro and flew afterwards to General Santos before proceeding to Davao.
Duterte said the president's visit was confidential. He said Arroyo met with several people to "get a first hand knowledge on how things are".
Unconfirmed reports revealed though that Arroyo was soliciting support form several sectors amidst the jueteng controversy being thrown at the First Family.
Duterte defended the president, saying she has a strong moral conviction that it would be impossible for her to be involved in such an illegal activity.
"Besides di na nya kailangan yang mga sako-sako na pera," Duterte said.
Duterte said that she decided to bring Arroyo to his favorite watering hole at the After Dark to relax and enjoy the night. (BOT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 30, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
