Posted on 05/24/2017 7:29:32 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
MANILA — Since winning the presidency a year ago, the words “martial law” have rarely been far from Rodrigo Duterte’s lips.
Amid calls to “slaughter” criminal suspects, the Philippine president has often mused about the possibility of declaring it, casting himself as a reluctant savior, the strongman who does not want to take charge — but would.
On Tuesday evening, after clashes between security forces and Islamist insurgents left three dead, he fulfilled his own prediction, declaring martial law across a vast swath of the southern Philippines. On Wednesday, he said the law would be as “harsh” as it was under Ferdinand Marcos, the former dictator whose martial law-era abuses still loom large.
“I will not allow the country to go to the dogs,” Duterte said at a news conference in Manila after cutting short a visit to Russia. He said he would extend martial law — which he imposed on the southern island of Mindanao — to the whole country if necessary.
Although the government has yet to specify what, exactly, comes next, the law looks set to reshape Duterte's domestic agenda, broadening his focus from drugs to terrorism and renewing questions about his nostalgia for the Philippines’ authoritarian past.
Martial law could also complicate an uncertain moment in U.S.-Philippine ties.
On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported new details of an April 29 call between President Trump and Duterte — details that suggest Trump is willing to work with, and even praise, Duterte despite the Philippine president’s past threats to ditch the United States as an ally.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Do dirty Duterte.
The insurgents melt away after the fight. There is no uniformed army to seek out and destroy. IMHO you will need to expand the punishment to the family of the terrorists. Sort of how Israel will bulldoze the house of a suicide bomber. Some greater price needs to be paid than simply killing the terrorists. After all, in their world view, you are simply giving them the only surefire way a muslim can enter heaven, via martyrdom. Bring the pain to their families. That type of punishment can be done via martial law. He could also borrow a page from our Marines. We used to bury the dead in the Southern Philippines with a slaughtered pig. That seemed to dampen the Islamist’s desire to fight back in the day.
The thing about Duterte is this -— He looks like he’s trying to distance himself from the West.
Trump invites him to come to Washington DC and he goes to Russia to meet Putin instead ( he had to cut short his visit because of what happened in Marawi ).
He’s very angry at the West ( EU and the USA ) for calling him put on his so-called extra-judicial killings in his war on drugs.
Yet, he needs military support ( arms, planes, etc. ) to fight a Muslim insurgency in the south. So, where does he go for help? Russia!
Go Figure...
To the best of my knowledge, Trump has done the opposite. He has praised him for his anti drug efforts. China is a rising power. Some countries are going into their orbit. China is building artificial islands and plans to eventually take Taiwan. They feel it will protect them from any hostile naval activity. Further it will allow them to project their power and bully. Giving them the Philippines would be a blunder along the lines of losing Iran or Cuba. The Philippines’ location along with Chinese maritime claims and possessions would really squeeze South Korea and Japan.
Additionally, I read a survey a year or two ago that showed the Philippine people have the most pro-american opinion of any. Their people like America, their country is in a strategic location and we have a long and mostly friendly history with them. We should not bother ourselves with projecting our values of justice onto them. That won’t accomplish anything but push them into China’s orbit. We have no leverage to make them change their behavior and Duterte won’t be president forever. He’s 70 years old iirc. He’s unlikely to be able to serve more than two terms as president.
America should focus on the big picture of global security from the vantage point of American, South Korean and Japanese needs. This also coincides with what is best for Filipinos. They are a free people and should not become a colony/slave of China.
RE: He’s unlikely to be able to serve more than two terms as president.
The Philippine President only serves ONE 6 YEAR TERM. That’s in their constitution. Duterte has 5 years left.
EDIT TO ADD: That is, assuming Duterte does not bully his way into changing the constitution the way some dictators do.
Thanks for the info. I didn’t know he was limited to one term. He’s 72 years old. I bit too old to be fighting for dictator for life imho. But he’s an odd duck, who can say for sure.
To the best of my knowledge, Trump has done the opposite. He has praised him for his anti drug efforts
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I think this is why President Trump likes this man...drugs, and control of his country...yes, he is a dictator, but in his trip to Russia, he turned the plane around and went back to his country because of ISIS, another reason President Trump likes him...
I don’t like dictators, but this one seems like he is trying to save his country, and I believe this is the same guy that said that Obama’s mother was a whore and he was the son of a whore...gotta like him for that alone...
I want Duterte to kill every single terrorist in his country. Given a choice, rescue the hostages too, but the priority should be dead terrorists.
You are correct sir. I get respect wherever I go. This is the Washington Compost, so take everything they say with a grain of salt.
Russian small arms function well in tropical climates.
I’ve visited the Philippines several times. It suffers from one of the bad parts of democracy in a severe way. Corruption is out of hand. That and high crime are keeping the country poor. I have been told the Philippines is the only country in the world that has a high literacy rate (it’s over 90%) and that also has third world poverty. It is not self sufficient in rice production despite having a climate that allows for two to three growing seasons per year. It is not a manufacturing hub despite it’s low wages and a population that is proficient in English. English is a mandatory subject in their schools. Their official documents are in English (think birth certificates and diplomas).
The people are frustrated and voted for Duterte. They are tired of the same old thing. From what I’ve heard, this guy ran Davao City, that country’s third largest, like a dictator. Throwing people out of helicopters and the like. Not sure if that is just a rumor, but Duterte seems to enjoy his reputation. And that reputation is what the population voted for. I am not sure if he is ruling as a dictator as he has a mandate from the people to do what he is doing. His rise to power speaks more about the typical Filipino politician and how they are not trusted to bring about the change desired.
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