PRESIDENTIAL bet Rodrigo Duterte on Friday vowed to end the conflict in Mindanao and slammed the Aquino administration over its alleged failure to stop terrorism.
“People long for real change but the government continues to neglect their woes. That’s why there’s so much disorder,” Duterte said.
He reacted to the assassination attempt Tuesday night on a prominent Saudi cleric who was on the hit list of the Islamic State and on another Saudi diplomat at the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga.
Duterte and his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano criticized the government for failing to secure the cleric despite his inclusion in the hit list.
The Davao City mayor also expressed dismay over what he called the lack of peace and order in the entire country, which he said had resulted from the government’s failure to provide bold solutions to the people’s daily woes.
He vowed to boost the capability of the security forces by adding over 3,000 regular men in the Armed Forces to be trained as scout rangers or special forces to combat lawless elements once he was elected president.
“Criminals are that bold, so we also have to offer bold solutions. We cannot go easy,” Duterte said.
He pledged to push for federalism to boost regional development and restore order in the people’s lives.
“If there’s enough opportunity provided by government for our people in the regions, there is no need to take up arms or be seduced by terrorism,” Duterte said.
“We need leaders with political will who can effect bold and swift solutions. This is what we are bringing in this election.”