'SWIM NOW,' DRUG PEDDLERS TOLD

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has told those individuals involved in illegal drugs
to "start swimming now to go as far as Sarangani province" if they still
want to live.

In his weekly television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" aired live
over ABS-CBN Davao, Duterte said that he has had enough of drug traffickers
operating in the city and that he was already tired of telling them to stop
their illegal activities.

"Hawa na mo diri sa Davao kay mahurot ra dyud mo diri. Sugod na mog langoy
karon hangtud Sarangani," he said.

The mayor raised his warning as the number of the city's vigilante-related
killings now reached to 59.

Most of those killed were believed to be involved in illegals, including
three scions of wealthy businessmen here, who were just shot dead last week.

For the nth time though, Duterte has denied that the government has
something to do with the killings of these suspected criminals.

"Kung namatay na sila wala ko kabalo. Ug wala sad ko kabalo kung kinsa ng
ginatawag nga DDS (Davao Death Squad)," the mayor said.

He said he only believed that there is a group which is not pleased of the
wrongdoings of these persons.

Some city councilors here expressed concern on what has been happening
these days with the Davao City Police Office allegedly not doing concrete
actions to stop and solve the killings.

Councilor Bonifacio Militar said he would recommend for the cut of
government support to the police if they failed to stop and solve the
summary executions within two months.

But leaders of the business sector here sid businesses were not affected
and were even grateful for the killings.

City Tourism Operations Officer Edmundo Acaylar said that the tourism
industry is still doing well while suspected criminals were killed one by one.

Uy Ching Siong, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce regional
director, said the summary executions have created a good atmosphere for
the business sector in the city.

Uy said these incidents have boosted the confidence of businessmen.