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Manila Bulletin devider devider Duterte dares CIA, Sison; PNP chases drug lords

Duterte dares CIA, Sison; PNP chases drug lords

Published Aug 25, 2018 12:05 am
PUNCHLINE By FRED M. LOBO President Duterte has dared the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to carry out its alleged plot to assassinate him or remove him from power. Fred M. Lobo Fred M. Lobo  “I heard the news that they want me dead. Go ahead,” the President dared.

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Duterte, likewise, belied the claim of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leader Jose Ma. Sison that he was sick, and challenged him to come home and be jailed. “You are abusing the hospitality of the Netherlands,” Duterte said, telling him to return to PH.

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Duterte said he was aware the US does not like him, but added he was not intimidated by the prospect of getting killed or  removed from power. “I’m looking at the TV right now because I want to emphasize to the Americans, the CIA today, I heard news that they want me dead. Go ahead. Be my guest. After all, this country will remain the way it is if you get all the leaders,” he said.

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Speaking at the Hugpong ng Pagbabago party convention in Davao City recently, Duterte twitted the CIA. “So if my helicopter explodes, that’s their handiwork. They’re the only one interested,” he stated.

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Duterte said earlier he was not keen on visiting the United States as he deplored its interference in domestic affairs, and told the CIA to “stop f**king” with his government. “One day, I will just drive you away. It’s either they – your cahoots here will have to kill me or you have to get out of my country. Choose,” he added.

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However, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim later said  there was no CIA effort to undermine Duterte’s leadership nor to kill him. The US will continue to work with the Duterte administration, respecting his mandate, Kim said.

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Duterte also belied Sison’s claim about his failing health appearing on Facebook,  saying :”I am okay…How can I be in comatose (officially meeting with) with a beautiful lady.” Let’s take it. Sounding naughty, DU30 must be healthy.

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“He’s in tip-top condition,” Presidential Assistant Bong assured. Assurance most welcome. A healthy president is better than a sick one. *** Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde disclosed  that  anti-narcotics operatives are now focusing on 893 high-value targets (HVT) involved in the illegal drugs trade, as ordered by the President. Time to go after big-time drug lords and not just small-time pushers/addicts.

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“We calibrated our war on drugs because that is part of our focus, a focus on high value targets on our list,” Albayalde said. Yes, calibrate, arrest merchants of death, and we’ll celebrate.  
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