Pubdate: Mon, 06 Jun 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Note:  also listed for feedback
Author: Ben O. Tesiorna
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rodrigo+Duterte
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

'FISH FOR CRIMINALS,' MAYOR TELLS POLICE

IT'S open season for "fishing for criminals" in Davao City as Mayor
Rodrigo R. Duterte told the police to slowly pick off criminals
victimizing innocent civilians especially students.

In his weekly television program, Duterte told the police to start
looking for criminals like thieves, drug pushers and pickpockets in
their hideouts before they could do their evil plans.

"Start fishing out those who create problems for other people. We can
minimize crimes if we slowly start fishing for the criminals," Duterte
told the police.

Asked what would be done to those "fished", Duterte said, "What else
do you do with fish but fry them."

The mayor identified the areas of Matina Aplaya, Santo Nino also in
Matina and Quezon Boulevard downtown as the areas where criminals
usually hide in.

Meanwhile, Duterte challenged anyone whose relatives or friends were
believed killed by the Davao Death Squad to tell him of the slain
person's innocence and he will prove to them otherwise.

Duterte was visibly irked by the alleged white paper circulating in
the city branding him as a merciless killer. The white paper
reportedly warned of an uprising if the summary executions in the city
continue unabated.

"Tell me who those killed and who have disappeared are and I will tell
you why they were killed. But as to who killed them, I no longer
know," Duterte said.

The mayor said that the dead criminals are merely paying for the
crimes they had done against the public.

Though not taking seriously the white paper, Duterte warned the people
behind it that they will be the ones who will fall first before he
does.

"Try to topple me and I will topple you first," Duterte said.
- ---