(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he would have to use emergency powers and make “radical changes” to address the rising crime rates and restore order.
He made the announcement shortly after his arrival from his official visit in South Korea on late Tuesday, June 5, 2018.
Duterte warned both criminals and erring government personnel.
“Ni-warning ko lang kayong mga kriminal, lahat na. Nasa gobyerno, sa labas. I will make radical changes in the days to come,” he said.
“For those offices na hindi talaga ma-control, I will place you under the Office of the President. Ako na mismo ang kaharap mo araw-araw,” he added.
The President, however, did not elaborate what will be the offices that he will place under the Office of the President.
In the news recently was the killing of an assistant prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman who was stabbed to death by a suspect, a jeepney barker, Angelito Avenido, who had a history of drug use, and of robbery and killings connected to his drug use.
Assistant Prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag was reportedly four months pregnant when she was stabbed to death by the suspect.