(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday (September 22) called upon his supporters not to threaten journalists despite of their appreciation of the administration.
“I appreciate very much your support and may be your–how would I say it–enthusiasm to back me up. You are correct, I am doing nothing wrong but of course we should also not threaten people kasi hindi na sila makapagsulat ng totoo,” Duterte said in a speech at the Philippine National Police’s Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro.
In an earlier statement, the Palace also urged Duterte supporters not to harass Senator Leila De Lima and members of the media.
“Hindi ho maganda ‘yung we are threatening our ano, our own ‘no. Siyempre Senador po natin si Senador De Lima. She is an elected official of the land. At ganon din po ang ating mensahe sa mga media men na hina-harass sa social media space,”” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.
“We all know that the social media is a free space and we can say whatever we want to say. Pero siguro ang pakiusap po natin ay huwag ho tayong magkasakitan ng mga pino-post natin sa social media at lalong lalo na ho ay huwag ho tayong… Iwasan ho natin na i-threaten ‘yung ating mga kasamahan sa media. It’s just basic thing, you know… ‘Do unto others what you want others to do unto you’,” Andanar added.