The Davao mayor did not expound on what “strengthening” law enforcement programs means, nor were reporters able to ask follow-up a question. PHVote WeDecide READ:
MANILA, Philippines – Vice Presidential aspirant Davao Mayor Sara Duterte wants to “strengthen” the country’s law enforcement, as she promised to “continue the reforms” of her father’s administration during a campaign speech on Saturday, March 12.Yan po ang commitment namin, na ituloy ang mga program kontra kriminalidad ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte
In a chance interview with reporters after the event, Duterte was asked if “continuation” also meant the continuation of her father’s bloody and controversial “war on drugs,” the Davao mayor replied only in vague terms. “Strengthen pa ng ating bansa, ipa-strengthen yung law enforcement ng ating bansa – hindi lang po sa kontra droga, kontra terrorism, kontra criminality lahat po yon, anti-insurgency lahat po yon.
The promise of a “safe” Philippines was the cornerstone of President Duterte’s successful 2016 campaign for the presidency. The pitch was, perhaps, best encapsulated by the promise to end or suppress illegal drugs in the Philippines within three to six months. That promise, of course, was not fulfilled. Duterte’s drug war continued well throughout his presidency – and so did the killings.
Although Sara Duterte did not go into specifics on these anti-insurgency measures, the biggest and most infamous component of President Duterte’s anti-insurgency program is the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict . The task force, created in 2018, is meant to lead the elimination of decades-long insurgency in the country. It’s been criticized for red-tagging, without basis, government critics, both in and outside of government.