Duterte faced assassination threat in Zamboanga Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A threat of assassination confronted President Duterte while he was on his way to Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Duterte bared the plot yesterday to residents of Ipil who gathered at the plaza for the celebration of the town’s 69th founding anniversary.

“I said if somebody would shoot then let him shoot,” Duterte said in Visayan. He gave no details.

The President also said he is quitting politics after the end of his term in 2022.

“So tapos na ang mission ko (my mission is over). I have done my best. I never question the spirituality of this world because I believed there is still another entity or intelligence which is universal which I considered god,” Duterte said.

He also promised to arm local officials if threats against them persist.

“If there is a repeat of violence in this area I will arm you,” Duterte said, recalling the April 1995 pillage of Ipil by Abu Sayyaf and other armed groups.

The militants torched the town, killed several people and took dozens hostage.

The President said he would consult with the military and the police regarding his plan to arm local officials facing security threats.

The military, as part of the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, has been campaigning for the surrender of loose and unregistered firearms in the possession of local officials and some civilians.