PCOO_insidepage_NEWS
03 December 2016

Duterte to HPG grads: Be ready for terrorism
DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte asked the graduates of the Motorcycle Riding Course for police and other personnel to be prepared to tackle terrorism and the government’s campaign against illegal drugs in its graduation rites which he attended.  

In his message during the event held in Matina Aplaya here on Friday, Dec. 2, the President warned that terrorism would become the country’s concern in the next two to three years and everyone should prepare for. 

He reported that his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs is gaining positive results and he is leaving it to the police and anti-narcotics personnel to continue doing the job. 

“Then I’d like to warn you in the coming days. We will be facing a serious problem, aside from drugs. Okay na ‘yung drugs. Hayaan mo na lang ‘yung mga operating unit,” Duterte said.  

The President said he will issue a statement about it when he goes back to Manila and after conferring with other officials.”Yan ang danger nakikita namin, maybe the next two, three years. Bantay kayo. Kalaban mo diyan… ‘Yan ang pinaka-delikado,” he said.

He also mentioned the ongoing peace talks with different rebels groups reiterating his position that peace negotiations for him is the best track to solve the country’s problems on insurgency and separatism.

Rebellion in the Philippines has been ongoing for many decades and talking peace with the communists and Muslim secessionists would be the best option, according to the President. 

At the same time, the President cleared Special Assistant to the President Bong Go amid accusations that the Palace official called Philippine National Police Chief Director Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa to reinstate Superintendent Marvin Marcos as head of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Eastern Visayas. Dela Rosa relieved Marcos of his duty for the killing of Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

“Huwag kayong maniwala na si Bong ang tumawag ‘yung para kay ano… Doon ko nalaman, I’d like to make it public. Kaya ko sabi ko, as it is kayo diyan. Doon ko nalaman si (Asher) Dolina malinis. Si Marcos may tama… Huwag mong galawin kasi gusto kong tingnan,” the President said. Dolina is the former Eastern Visayas Regional Police chief.

The accusation also has bad effect as it impacts on the morale of the police force. “So ganon, pati second is, mag-low morale ‘yung tao. ‘Yung ibang pulis hindi man nila nalaman na we’re doing the investigative work, tapos hindi mo ma-announce, so you do that, it will create a ripple in the entire country,” he added.

In talking to the graduates of the motorcycling course, the President offered some tips highlighting road safety. 

He also expressed his frustrations of not being able to ride a motorcycle due to security concerns and worries of his family.”Wala ata worries of family ma’am. Nawalan ako ng gana kasi paglabas ko diyan sa… may security sunod-sunod. So I have lost my privacy,” the President said. 

An avid motorcycle rider himself, he told the members of the HPG about the dangers of riding a motorcycle which he said needs concentration and skills training.

Motorcyclists, he said, should never ride a motorcycle when they consumed alcohol and not wearing a helmet to ensure their safety.He assured them that his government will give what they need such as replacing old motorcycles in their inventory. 

The President reiterated to the graduates that there will be no corruption and abuses in government and the police will always enjoy his support.###PND


Duterte invites Trump to the Philippines
DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte made a congratulatory phone call to US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday, Dec. 2.

In a message, the President said that the conversation could signal an improvement of ties between the US and the Philippines.

President Duterte said Mr. Trump extended his warm greetings to the Filipino people during their conversation. “And he wishes to extend his warmest regards to the Filipino people. And in just a few minutes, we were talking a lot of things,” the President revealed.

The President said he could sense a good rapport with an animated President-elect Trump.

According to the President, Trump expressed support for the Philippine’s anti-drug campaign. “He understood the way we are handling it and I said that there’s nothing wrong in protecting a country. It was a bit very encouraging in the sense that I supposed that what he really wanted to say was that we would be the last to interfere in the affairs of your own country,” Duterte said.

Duterte said he wished Trump success. “He will be a good President for the United States of America. I am very sure,” he said.

Duterte said Trump also extended an invitation for him to visit New York and Washington DC. “He said that if I’m around, he wants to be notified of my presence,” he said.

In return, Duterte invited Trump to attend the 2017 Asean Summit in the Philippines.

“And I mentioned to him about the ASEAN Summit next year and he said that he will try his best to be here. He wants to attend the Summit and that would be great for our country,” the President reported. ###PND


Duterte sees better ties with US under Trump presidency
A Malacañan official on Saturday, December 3, expressed confidence that the Philippine – US relations will improve under the presidency of US president-elect Donald Trump.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan, indicated that relations between the Philippines and the United States may eventually improve.

This, after President Rodrigo Duterte and US president-elect Donald Trump had spoken over the phone Friday night.

Abella confirmed that the two leaders had a short conversation and that the tone was overall a pleasant one.

“Ang pagkakasabi ng Presidente, ‘meron kaming good rapport,’ ang sabi is, na nagkakaintindihan sila so I believe that the relationship between President Duterte and President Donald Trump will reflect also in our relationship with America, with other nations,” Abella said.

He said that though both Trump and President Duterte are very strong in their statements, both “always take the national interest at heart.”

Abella further added, “Tuloy-tuloy po na isinasauli ng Presidente natin, ‘yun po ang kanyang goal talaga: na maisauli para sa mga Pilipino ‘yung ating sense of dignity and sense of sovereignty, na maisauli po sa atin na hindi po tayo nanlilimos sa ibang tao… may dignidad and as a nation, and people all over the world are beginning to respond to that at maganda rin po ang response ng President Trump sa atin.”

“So I believe also, pwede po natin masabi at this stage na mukhang gumaganda ang relasyon natin with the US,” he said.

According to Abella, President Duterte congratulated President-elect Trump, who, in return, wished President Duterte well and said that he understands Duterte’s sentiments regarding the sovereignty of the Philippines. Abella also indicated that President Duterte is under the impression that Trump might be a good president of the US.

On the matter of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, Abella said that the issue was not discussed by the two leaders in the same phone conversation.

“Siguro ‘yung apprehension na nanggagaling from the fact na si Donald Trump, meron siyang general policy na isauli ang mga negosyo doon sa US pero specifically regarding BPO, wala pa naman siyang direct statement, direct action,” he said, adding that the BPO industry remains secure.

According to the Palace official, President Duterte also extended his invitation to Trump to attend the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, of which the US is a dialogue partner.

Abella also said Trump mentioned to President Duterte that he should let him know at once should President Duterte visit New York or Washington DC.###PND