Duterte warns vs Kuratong Baleleng’s revival

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has warned those trying to revive the Kuratong Baleleng gang, saying they don’t stand a chance against the government.

Duterte mentioned Kuratong Baleleng after enumerating the mayors allegedly involved in corruption and other irregularities during a public address on Monday night.

“There are two infamous mayors here. You know who’s the other one? Parojinog,” the President said.

In 2017, Duterte said the Parojinogs of Ozamiz City formed an anti-communist vigilante group called Kuratong Baleleng that degenerated into a criminal gang.

The President said the Parojinogs used the group against their critics and police officers who defied them.

“There are policemen in Zamboanga del Sur who seem to be reviving the gang... that controlled Ozamiz, Kuratong Baleleng,” Duterte said.

“Better shape up...You want to die early? You don’t stand a chance against the government. Even if you kill (Interior Secretary Eduardo) Año, even if you kill me, even if you kill (Defense Secretary Delfin) Lorenzana, the Republic of the Philippines will survive,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the wife of former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog took exception to the President’s tirades against her husband.

In a post on Facebook, Marivic Mabilog said the President should ”move on.”

”Get a life. You’re fast running out of one,” Marivic said.

The President mentioned Mabilog as among the government officials dismissed for various offenses. – Jennifer Rendon