|
Monday, November 08, 2004
Davao mayor 'admits' to torching kidnapper
DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Rodrigo Duterte admitted Sunday he once torched the corpse of a slain kidnapper to send a strong warning against criminals operating in the city.
But, in his trademark paradoxical way of answering, he says this was a "hypothetical truth."
Duterte made the admission during an interview by columnist Max Soliven in yesterday's Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa television program.
Soliven asked Duterte about his tough stance against criminals and how he deals with them.
"You want me to tell the truth?" the mayor asked Soliven.
"I don't want you to get into trouble baka may kalaban kang nanonood ngayon dito at naka-tape 'to Soliven said.
"It's okay. I will tell you 'yung totoo na hypothetical ba," Duterte answered before telling the newspaperman how he torched the kidnapper.
Warning
The mayor said the incident happened during his first term. He said the suspect, whom he did not identify, was a known kidnapper who was killed while fighting it out with authorities.
After checking on the body, he said he doused it with kerosene and set it on fire.
Duterte then warned that he will do the same to drug dealers who may be planning to set up operations here.
"Pag nadakip ko kayong naga-operate ng shabu laboratory dito, I assure you na itatali ko kayo sa mga equipment niyo and I will burn you along with your equipment," Duterte said.
Armed with grenade
The mayor said that so far, no one has dared to set up a shabu laboratory in the city and that most of the illegal drugs are being smuggled in from Cotabato City and other areas.
Aside from torching a criminal, Duterte admitted talking with a group of kidnappers who were reportedly planning to abduct a prominent businessman here in the city.
He said he met with the kidnap group without his bodyguards. Duterte, however, admitted that he was not without any protection during the meeting.
"I had a fragmentation grenade with me that time," Duterte said.
In Sunday's interview, Soliven told Duterte: "For me you're the greatest mayor this country has. Maraming nagagalit sa iyo but for me you are doing a good job."
When Soliven asked the mayor about the Davao Death Squad vigilante group, which the newspaperman said was sometimes referred to as the Duterte Death Squad, Duterte said: "I am not ready to confirm or deny it." (Sun.Star Davao)
(November 8, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Transport groups in C. Luzon set strike Monday