(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, June 19, lashed back at critics of his intensified campaign against loiterers.
“Sabi ko ‘yung mga istambay paalisin ‘yan dyan para ang tao maglakad sa gabi…,” Duterte said in a speech at the 81st anniversary of the Government Service Insurance System in Pasay.
Duterte in particular lashed out at human rights advocates, who he said should not order him around.
He said when he was mayor of Davao, he used to go around the city in a taxi to see for himself the situation on the ground.
Duterte was mayor of the city for 23 years.
“Ayaw ko (ng ganyan),” he said.
Human rights advocates have been criticizing the campaign, saying it could lead to a violation of the rights of individuals.
But the Palace gave the assurance this would not be the case, saying anyone could report any excesses in the implementation of the President’s order, if any.
Earlier, two Makati policemen were sacked after they jailed two men even if they were supposedly only waiting outside the house of a friend to go out.
The Philippine National Police has said that under the campaign, only those who violate city ordinances will be arrested.