Duterte seeks INC endorsement

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has sought the endorsement of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and hopes to get the group’s bloc vote.

Duterte disclosed yesterday that he had sent a letter to the INC, seeking its endorsement in the May 9 presidential elections.

“Sumulat ako (I wrote a letter), but I did not do it publicly,” Duterte said.

He refused to disclose details of his letter, but said the INC has not yet answered.

Duterte said it would be okay for him even if the INC would not endorse him, but he remained optimistic about the religious sect’s support.

INC spokesman Edwil Zabala refused to comment on Duterte’s letter when asked by The STAR.

Presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe had already met some officials of the INC, seeking their endorsement.

The INC remained mum about Poe’s reported meeting.

Liberal party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II previously said he would want to meet INC officials to seek their endorsement.

Duterte attended the NAITAS Travel and Trade Show 2016 at the SMX Mall of Asia Arena yesterday morning, where he reiterated his strong stance against criminality, illegal drugs and corruption.

In his speech, Duterte assailed his rival candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay, saying that his family is involved in robbing the government.

Duterte said he would kill rich and poor criminals when they violate the law.

He also took a swipe against Roxas’ remarks about his “false promises” regarding index crimes in Davao City and Poe’s citizenship issues.

Responding to Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s criticisms about his plan to resolve crime in six months, Duterte cussed at him.

“Sabi ni Enrile hindi mo kaya, ‘tang ina mo. If I am into presidency in two months and nobody would believe me and nobody would follow me, then even if you give me ten years I would not be able to do it. Tignan natin,” Duterte said.

He also vowed to resolve the problems hounding the Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Defend Spratlys

Duterte said if war breaks out with China, he would ride a jetski to the disputed Spratly Islands and put up a Philippine flag.

Duterte said that he is willing to die to protect the country’s sovereignty should war break out over the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea.

“And if war breaks out, I will ask the Navy to deliver me to the nearest area tolerable to them and I will ride a jetski and carry a pole and a flag. When I reach Spratlys I will erect the Philippine flag,” Duterte said.

Duterte said he would tell China to go ahead and shoot him for fighting for his country. 

“You want to shoot me with your missile, fine,” he added. 

Duterte, however, pointed out that the Philippines is not prepared to go to war with China, but he would really fight it out to prove that the disputed West Philippine Sea is ours. 

Duterte, a frontrunner in presidential surveys, insisted that the Philippines is the rightful owner of the disputed Spratly Islands despite claims made by China.

“I am insisting it is ours,” Duterte said.

The tough-talking mayor, however, said he would not go to war with China since the country’s military is not prepared.

“We cannot go to war because we cannot win it. I will not waste the lives of Filipino soldiers and policemen,” Duterte said.

The Philippine government had initiated arbitration proceedings with the United Nations Tribunal in connection with its dispute with China.

The tribunal is expected to give its verdict in July, by which time the country would have a new president.

Duterte, however, said should China not insist on ownership, he is ready to have a joint exploration in the Spratlys.

“Do not talk about ownership and I will not make noise. For the six years that I’m president I’ll shut up,” Duterte said. 

He added that he would also ask China to build railways in Mindanao and Luzon. – With Edith Regalado