Duterte’s “crowning glory” is fighting crime in Davao

by Chito A. Fuentes

DUMAGUETE CITY - Mayor Rodrigo Duterte considers his fight against crime in Davao City the “crowning glory” of his political career.

“Davao used to be a very, very troubled place,” the mayor recalled, noting that at one time “two to three” policemen ended up dead every day.

Speaking before the Veloso clan reunion at Bethel Hotel in Dumaguete City Saturday, Duterte said he was pleased with what he has accomplished.

“Somehow, I was able to talk things out with everybody,” he added.

Mayor Duterte at the recent anniversary rites of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Photo by Roldan Gorgonio

When Duterte assumed as mayor in 1988, Davao City was considered the murder capital of Mindanao.

Under his watch, the peace and order situation vastly improved such that it was cited by crowd-sourced rating site Numbeo.com as the 5th safest city in the world.

The successful turn-around has captured the imagination of many people alarmed over the worsening peace and order situation in the country.

Even after Duterte has unequivocally declared that he does not covet the presidency on many occasions, the clamor refuses to die down.

Duterte’s stock in fact continues to rise when he placed third behind Sen. Grace Poe and Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

Duterte himself admitted that many people are pushing him to run particularly people from Mindanao.

He acknowledged that everywhere he goes, local officials tell him the no. 1 problem is illegal drugs.

His track record in the fight against crime is one reason why many people continue to pin their hopes on Duterte despite his disavowals. 

“Let me make this clear: if you go to my city and do drugs, I will kill you,” he told his audience. 

He has said this many times, indicating his fixation to combat this social menace.

Duterte appeared unimpressed with the present crop of presidential aspirants particularly in fighting crime.  

“If you look at the political landscape, it is arid land,” he added.

Insisting that he is now tired after being mayor for a long time, Duterte said he has done what he set out to do at the start of his political career.

“You can be proud that you have a relative you made things right,” he added.

Notwithstanding his previous pronouncements, many people are optimistic the mayor can be prevailed upon to make things right on a national scale. (CHITO A. FUENTES)