On Saturday, President Rodrigo Duterte stated that “dilawans” were collaborating with two organizations, including communists, to sabotage the next national and municipal elections.
Duterte said he is terrified of the information he obtained from the National Intelligence Committee allegedly concerning the working links between the so-called “dilawans” and communist insurgents in an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
“There’s a parang grouping of the communists, itong mga dilawan, pati itong mga — may isa pa, mga — Well, of course itong komunista is already a terrorist organization. So mga dilawan, that’s a… I forgot the other one,” he said.
(There’s a sort of grouping of the communists, the dilawans, and another group I forgot the name of. It includes the communists because they are already a terrorist organization.)
The administration is now looking into this possibility, according to Duterte, because it could disrupt the May 9 elections.
“They are watching for that kind of situation. They might be… Iyon ang sinabi ko na pwedeng manggulo kasi they have these working relations now with the dilawan (I said that can cause trouble because they have these working relations now with the dilawans) and the election is the objective really,” the President added.
When asked if he believes the elections will be free and fair, Duterte responded, “I cannot guarantee you that it will be peaceful. There will be one or two or three, and even dito sa Mindanao.”
Duterte: Dilawans working with communist group to disrupt 2022 elections
“I mean, even the warring factions diyan sa Cotabato. Sinabi ko talaga sa kanila [I told them], ‘I will not allow terrorism sa election. I will not allow violence. Kampanya lang kayo [just campaign],’” he recalled.
After that, Duterte issued a warning against “warlords” in elections, stating he would personally visit them in their homes.
“And I’m repeating this warning this election. Wala akong… May kinakampihan ako. I’m a politician, I could not have been President without the — pero without politics. Pero iyong mga magsabi mag-warlord-warlord, ah wala na talaga kasi pupuntahan ko talaga kayo. Maniwala kayo, pupuntahan ko kayo,” he said.
(I don’t take sides. I’m a politician, I could not have been President without the — but without politics. I’m going to see the warlords. Believe me, I will come for you.)
“Kung sa araw ng eleksyon, tambayan ko kayo. Doon ako mag-istambay sa bahay mo. Dito lang ako sa sala mo hanggang mata,” he added.
(On election day, I will hang out at your house. I will stay in your living room.)
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