It is more fun criticizing
Rizal Philippines
July 24, 2017
How disrepectful of the President, ayaw makipag usap; may mga representative na leftist sa gobyerno
Pres Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his second SONA today. It was simpler, friendlier with protesters; he later faced the protesters, where he was heckled and "nabastos". Later he held a press conference where more detailed discussion of his plans were laid out.
Some highlights:
1. His war on drugs would be unending and relentless;
2. He hit again the US and UN for their criticisms on drug war and alleged human rights violation. He can not be cowed by threat that me may be jailed by ICJ for human rights violation. He has been in and out of jail before and is no longer afraid of that threat;
3. He decried the TROs being directed vs govt laws, like the RH law; the medicines were wasted and had expired because of the SC meddling in legislative and executive matters
4. He supported the backs of his soldier ins Marawi and said he went there and his attitude there was he was prepared to die. One must face an adverse situation with equanimity especially with regards to death
5. He repeated his anger over corruption in govt, citing the case of as a friend former Sec. Sueno
6. He is aghast over the ambush by NPA of the PSG convoy in Davao. Boy was he happy that he brought armored vehicles. His convoy was machine gunned
7. He said that Joe Ma Sison is sick with colon cancer and said he is prepared to go to war with CPP for the next 50 years. He chided the activists outside of BP building to go home because they are just wasting their time. They will get nothing if ISIS let us say get into power. He even hinted that later on those promoting anarchy can be shot if they dont stop
8. He again took note of a network for misquoting him to have ordered kill kill the Maute in Marawi. Since there are no courts and jails in Marawi the military must not take prisoners. If they escape if confined in military camps, they may take the cannons and destroy the military
The talk lasted for two hours; the Pres often deviating from a prepared speech going impromptu and talking about his pet peeves
With the protesters:
He visited the protesters outside the Batasan wanting a dialogue. But he was heckled and booed and decided to end his conversation with them. People were not listening to him, and mouthed slogans and same line that are common with CPP NPA NDF. The common : Why would his convoy ambushed and now the leftist would still want to talk to him
Press con:
The other matters were more clearly spelled out:
1. He wants a strong military adding between 30 to 40t troops and equipping them well, to be on equal footing with other countries. This will be used for internal (vs NPA and other terrorists) and externally.
2. With regards to West Phil sea and ranting by Carpio, he talked directly to Xi Jin Ping the Chinese Pres, and said the West Phil. Sea. To make a short story of reply of Xi, it meant war. And DU30 said he is not ready to go to war. There are all ready missiles directed towards Manila that can hit it in 7 minutes.
It is better to have JV with China on oil and other mineral deposits
3. With regards to claiming at PSE that war could be ended in 15 days or less, and the extension of ML to 6 months, he said that there is a mistake in estimation. of the ability of military to end the conflict. The Maute does not seem to run of bullets supplies and explosives. They have a network of tunnels and may have prepared long for this; the Maranaos supporting the terrorists.
4. Apparently irked by the ambush of PSG convoy in Davao last week, he does not intend to continue peace talks with rebels, although the minority in Congress urges the Pres to be more conciliatory with rebels, and the rebels again are pushing for Peace Talks again (repeated in dialogue with protesters
5. When asked about the superlative growth at Davao, how did this happen, how could he achieve the economic growth of the country; he repeated the statement he made in Davao, and before Makati Business Club, that he is a lawyer and no businessman. His economic team, who are brighter than him will take care of that
6. About question that poverty and ignorance are the roots of rebellion, DU30 wisely answered that the conclusion is based on a wrong premise. The rebellion in Mindanao was fostered by foreign ideaology and is Mindanao wide because of porous border. How would he address that?
It would take time; there is no silver bullet to solve that problem
7. He would not allow the Ombudsman, the CHR to unnecessarily investigate the police and AFP to be investigated by CHR unless cleared by the Office of the President, or at the minimum by DILG. CHR must be fair in investigating the human rights violation also by the leftist.
8. Would there martial law declaration in the entire Philippines. Would there be abuses. It would not happen because he is not Marcos, apparently, he has different values compared to Marcos
The Pres drew several cheers and ovation while delivering the Sona. He exhibited more his political maturity especially when he talked to the protesters. He was firm and unflustered by the heckling
He as he said is a realist, and more in touch with reality than most of his critics are. (Compare to Lagman, a lawyer for the other side who like an OC who keeps on repeating that state of rebellion does not exist in Mindanao. Wise words from someone who lives in Luzon and who has not heard explosions Marawi or experienced the bullets (30 caliber whizzing by)
