[recording starts]

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: You want me to explain my absence? [How many days?] I was resting, actually. Pero ang official — ang ano ko was — my — the truth is I went out of town to — for a visit somewhere else. Hindi ko masabi sa inyo.

Or another reason, pumunta ako ng punerarya kasi namatay ‘yung anak ng kaibigan ko. Pagdating ko, sige siya iyak tapos sabi ko i-arrange na lang niyo ‘yung funeral services, nagpaiwan ako sa morgue. Nakatulog ako. Totoo. Dala ko isang escort lang eh.

Paggising ko, I was horrified. Akala ko nasa MRI ako. It’s a very closed chamber. Hindi ka maka – hindi ka makakamot ng ano kasi — akala ko sa MRI ako. Then little did io realize na ‘yung taga-punerarya, nagkamali. Ako ‘yung nilagay sa kabaong. Paggising ko, may salamin sa harap ko tapos naka-ganon si Roxas, tumatawa. Sigaw ako ng sigaw. ‘Yan ang gusto ninyo?

No, I went on a trip somewhere. I cannot divulge it. I had to go there incognito. ‘Yun ang totoo. Confidential but I said I travelled like a private citizen para lang maka-abot doon sa gusto kong puntahan. ‘Yun lang.

Q: Good evening, Mr. President, I am Franklin Caliguid, correspondent from the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I just want to get your reaction, Mr. President. Kasi Maranao leaders, the traditional leaders — the sultans, the datus in Marawi and Lanao del Sur are asking that they may be allowed to negotiate with the Mautes to end the hostilities. What’s your take, Mr. President?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: You do not need my permission to do that. Ang problema kasi nito, little did they realize that they are dealing with ISIS already.

Ang Maute is the name of the aggrupation here, was already infiltrated by the ISIS. And their battle cry is really the ISIS. Nakita mo naman mga literatures nila at procedure. They are there to kill, kill, kill for no reason at all. To destroy, burn, pillage, rampage, for no reason at all.

They are encouraging the — ‘yung mga jihadist to sagasaan, saksakin, barilin ang non-believers. Hindi na nila kaya ‘yan and they should have reported it maybe a long time ago kasi sila alam that there was already a military buildup. At walang kaubus-ubusan ang bala pati ang — they could match even the firepower of the Armed Forces.

Ang advantage lang natin siguro ‘yung sa eroplano pero on the ground, they do not run out of bullets. ‘Yung M-203 marami akong sundalo na tinamaang ganoon. Hindi nila ‘yan madala.

‘Yung mga traditional political leaders at ‘yung mga moderate, ‘yung taga-Marawi na ayaw nila ‘yung lugar nila maging wasteland, ‘yun ‘yan, they are desparate.

But I am not apologizing for anything there because they broke the problem to themselves. Bakit hindi nila sinabi sa pulis, sa akin, sa Armed Forces na may mga foreign trade na pabalik-balik ‘yan. Hindi na ninyo madala sa kwan, and I will not. If they go to the Maute to talk about what? Surrender? O ano lang, areglo? Ganon na lang?

So I will not. Paano ‘yung patay ko? How about the murderous rampage of — ‘yung natamaan ng mga sniper nila? They committed the crime of rebellion and there is the flag of ISIS. If that is not enough, what is it?

Tapos itong may mga justices pa, ang mga judges are giving terrorism lang ‘yun eh hindi raw rebellion. The terrorists are committing rebellion, the rebels are committing rebellion.

Ano ba tingin mo? What do you want? That they burn half of Mindanao before we can call it a true-blue rebellion? It’s crazy. Rebelliob  na ‘yun. Ngayon, kung ayaw nila, okay ako.

If they want a — sabihin nila na there is no factual basis, then I am ready to order the military to withdraw. And we will not move. Sila na, sila diyan kung kaya nila.

‘Yung mga non-believers, because they are really on the opposite side, whatever the reason may be, it could be a cold-bulleted thing for them. But in the name of — in the altar of politics sa kanilang ano, mali talaga ang ginagawa ng gobyerno.

So kung magsabi ang Supreme Court, mali, then okay. I will withdraw. Then if anything goes wrong… ‘pag mag-declare ako ng martial law uli, the second time around, if the people suffer — bombings, ganon and I’d be forced to call martial law, hindi na ko makinig maski kanino. 

Kasi kung sabihin nilang mahinto, maghinto ako. Withdraw tayo. And the police tutal ang sabi mo, terrorist talaga. Eh magbisita sila.

But if that rebellion burns Mindanao and the other parts of the Philippines, and I will be forced to declare martial law again, this time, I will do it on my own to preserve my nation. I will not consult anybody and there is no telling when it will end. Wala na. Basta… then it could be a copycat of Marcos. 

Wala akong magawa eh. Sabihin nila ngayon na “ayaw nila.” Uwi kaming lahat. Pero kayong nandito sa field, alam ninyo. If it’s just plain terrorism, why don’t they visit Marawi and convince the people to stop. 

Eh ang pagtingin kasi nila, walang tamang ginawa ang gobyerno. Puro mali when most of the time, sila ‘yung… crybaby. Wala akong problema. Ako? I can survive without martial law. But there will be complete reason. This time, ‘di na ko magtanong. 

Q: This concerns about the Lumads in Caraga, sir. Kasi sila ‘yung vulnerable ng recruitment sa pagsali lalo na ‘yung mga minors because according to them, in the past years, napabayaan sila sa programa ng gobyerno. Now you are in the presidency, sir, ano po ‘yung mga specific plans for the Lumads in Caraga, sir?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Plenty. But they should stop fighting. For as long as they talk and shoot, talk and shoot, they will remain neglected. Who is gonna go to the mountains to take care of the New People’s Army composing of the Lumads? And 75 percent of the rebels now, Lumads. Sila ang pinupusta ng NPA. Hindi ‘yung mga Bisaya, hindi ‘yung mga Ilonggo, hindi ‘yung mga Ilocano. Sila ang ginagawang sundalo. 

Pagka kaunti-kaunti nila, sila ang maubos. ‘Yung tribo nila will be left with — wala ‘yung mga lalaki, nasa — pumayag na gawing sundalo. At hindi naman alam ng sundalo — ng Lumad na for 50 years, andiyan ‘yung rebellion. Andiyan sila, dagdagan natin ng 50 years. Unless a strongman there can talk sense to them, they continue to be exploited by the NPA. 

Now, ang deal ko sa kanila ganito: Kayong mga Lumad nasa NPA, kung mag-surrender kayo, I will take you in as sundalo sa Armed Forces of the Philippines. Parehong sweldo. Sundalo talaga, may sweldo, may trabaho. Diyan kayo sa NPA, magtiis kayo. 

Now I’m offering you. Neglected o bigyan ko kayo ng trabaho, sundalo. I will take them in. Mamayang — kaunting, kaunting clank na lang sa utak. They have to learn about democracy, about the right — the majority prevails over the minority, the Republican form of government, that not all of us can be accommodated in the House of Congress, so we elect leaders to represent us, and that is what we call Representatives. 

Matutunan nila ‘yan, maintindihan nila kung ano. 

Q: Mr. President, kanina nga po na-mention niyo na maraming naka-miss sa inyo, and marami hong nagsasabi na meron daw po kayong sakit. For the record lang po, wala naman pong ganong condition these past few days?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Sakit, marami akong sakit.

Q: Kasi sabi rin po ni Senator Lacson, kailangan daw pong malaman ng public ‘yung inyon mg medical condition. Kailangan daw po isa-publiko. 

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Sa kama man lang ako, kayo ang nagsabing nasa coma ako. Wrong spelling man ‘yan. Kama, coma. Coma, kama. Kung na-coma ako, hindi ako andito para mam****** i**.

Q: SONA po.

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: SONA? 

Q: Next question na lang. Mr. President, sa nangyayari pa — sa nagpapatuloy ngayong Marawi siege, sa Marawi crisis, sa tingin niyo po ba mae-extend pa po itong martial law dahil hanggang ngayon po nagpapatuloy pa rin po ‘yung gulo doon sa Marawi?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Hindi matatapos ‘yang martial law hanggang hindi matapos ‘yang putukan. Until I am satisfied or we are satisfied that not a single shot will be fired ever again, at lahat ‘yung armas diyan sa — nakuha diyan sa ano — gusto ko sagasaan ‘yan sa harap nila ng bulldozer. Ang gaganda ng armas nila, hindi kaya bilhin nila ‘yan. Yung mga Barrett? ‘Yung mga sniper?

At ang problema namin is, bakit walang katapusan ang armas nila pati bala? Eh di ibig sabihin, ang buildup niyan took about siguro more than three years. Pagpasok ng sundalo, naka-deploy na sila doon sa mga building. Ang sundalo naman, paakyat pa sa bukid, sila doon sa taas, sige na putok. Kaya nahirapan ako. Ang sundalo ko had to crawl inch-by-inch towards the top there, mga building. Hindi mo naman dapat bombahan kasi may mga nagtago pa sa mga kabilang bahay, talagang mapulpog yun. 

But there are places in Marawi which were bombed or are being bombed now. And I am sorry to say that, it’s because it is really already a full-blown war. I cannot sacrifice one single soldier.

I cannot sacrifice one life sa sundalo. Na kung madala ng bomba, bombahan mo nalang. Wala na ako mag — pero it’s winding up but the problem is you cannot just walk around because there are remnants still positioned in so many high-rise buildings. Diyan ang marami ko, pati ‘yang M-2O3 na ‘yan na grenade.

Saan nila kinuha ‘yan? Well, most of them are taking from the politicians who provided the money. But what fueled ‘yung gyera talaga dito sa Marawi is the drug money of the Maute. Kaya lumakas ‘yung Visayas.

Kaya I was toying with the possibility that kung magpuntahan sila sa Visayas, that — ‘yang Dumaguete, Dipolog na ‘yan is just a short run [inaudible] out lang. You can go to Cebu, Dumaguete. ‘Yan ang gina guwardiyahan ko ngayon. Kung makapasok diyan tapos nandiyan sila, I will not declare martial law there but pipick-up-in ko nalang sila na walang warrant kasi galing sila doon eh. It’s a continuing crime.

When you connect the rebellion, whether the place is under martial law or not, you can be arrested anytime. 

That was the rationale when I said that itong Visayas baka magkaroon ito ng suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Para pick up lang ako ng pick up.  Dito, they are allowed to do that.

I am not duty bound to secure a search warrant because by the time mag-apply ako ng search warrant, lima na ang sundalo ko na patay. Gusto ko pasukin ang bahay. By the time makahanap ako ng judge diyan sa Marawi kung sino, kung may makita kang isa at pumirma, by that time siguro sampu na ang sundalo ko na disgrasya. 

So no need for a warrant of arrest or a search warrant. Di ba sinabi ko I assume full responsibility for this. No need for a warrant. Basta pick upin ka dito sa [unclear] pick upin ka. Just in case you spread out, you are pushed back, you spread out, go to different directions. Kung saan ka maabutan ng military, arestuhin ka. Pag mag hawak ka ng baril, hindi ka pulis, hindi ka military, sabihin ko patayin mo talaga. Kasi papatayin kayo niyan. 

Kaya kayong mga sibilyan, ‘wag kayo muna magdala ng armas. There will be a time siguro it will be a mobilization including the ROTC, the reserves, but that is not the time yet. I have not authorized anybody including myself to bring a gun outside of my residence. 

Q: Sir, I’m sure alam niyo naman ‘yung nag swi-swirl na mga haka haka tungkol sa mga nangyari sa inyo the past couple of days ‘no? Well, just to answer, sir, ‘yung mga scenario na ‘yun. Can you tell us your–Pardon us for asking– your state of health now?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: How do I do it? I had to go to — My last examination was last [week?]. My state of health is what you see is what you get. You want an operation?

Q: Wala namang, sir, operation, ganyan, walang blood transfusion?

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE: Gusto mo? 

Q: Wala, sir, mga recent operation? Mga ganyan or a medical — ?

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE: Ganon’ talaga. You must learn from the Davao media. 

Q: Oo.

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE: Ganon’ ako. I do not need anybody to ask me where I’m going. Pag ‘di pa gani ninyo ako makita ng limang araw, eh patay na ‘yan, so use your Robredo. Anong problema ninyo? May Bise-Presidente. 

Kung hindi ako lumabas, in coma or whatever the speculation is, then if it’s about a month wala nang president at sabihin in coma, may mag verify doon, kayong lahat, sabihin mo na na “O, time—  time for change.”

And the only problem is walang successor because there will be a struggle. Pagka ganon, if there’s a vacuum sa leadership, the military will always take over to control, to put things in order and maybe set an election. Pero may Bise Presidente tayo eh so ano ba ang problema ninyo?

Q: Sir, ‘yun pong medyo namimiss namin kayo sa Malacanang mga — since Monday, ilang araw po ‘yung sinabi ninyong pinuntahan ninyo na sensitive?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Dito sa Mindanao. 

Q: Sa Mindanao, sir?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: I traveled that night because Sobrosa ang ano ko eh, punta ko. 

Q: Ilang, ilang araw ‘yun sir?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Dalawa.

Q: Dalawa lang. Sir, will we be seeing you in the next coming days?  Resume — I mean you know, you’ll be more visible?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Baka hindi.

Q: Bakit, sir?

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE: Wala, mag tulog-tulog lang ako doon.

Q: ‘Di nga, sir?

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE: Bakit ba masyado kayong concerned? Dalawang araw lang.

Q: Sir, magsi-six na kaya. 

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Ha?

Q: Magsi-six na ‘yun, sir, since Monday.

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: [unclear]

Q:  Makita na kayo?

PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Do not worry. There is the Vice President who will take over. My state of health is immaterial. Kasi ang importante na may successor. So walang — may institutional succession, you follow it. So ano ba problema diyan, spekulasyon? Sa mga kababayan ko, ‘wag kayong mag– Do not worry too much. 

Ayaw pa ninyo ‘yan? Baka isang araw, baka isang taon lang, bago na naman. Bagong Presidente. Masyado ako na — I am good while I am alive but do not worry about a one day, two days absence. Baka nasanay na kayo kay Marcos noon ‘no, na na-operahan, may sakit lupus tapos he could not appear for so many days. Ano na lang. Sabihin mo nalang doon sa mga kalaban ko na magdasal na lang kayo para ma — 

—END—