‘Duterte much stronger leader than I am’ — Arroyo
Former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo throws full support to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte
Her show of support was specially directed after the Chief Executive has declared a state of lawlessness throughout the country
The declaration came in the wake of the Davao City blast on September 2 which killed at least 14 people and left some 68 injured
Throwing her full support to President Rodrigo Duterte, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo said the Chief Executive was in the best position to declare a state of lawlessness to crush any threat to the country’s peace and order.
In stating this, Arroyo noted she believes that law enforcers will not abuse their authority; amid concerns that the situation may be used as an excuse to violate political and human rights, an article published by ABS-CBN News mentioned.
“I did not experience them [law enforcers] being abusive, and I don’t think they will be abusive now,” Arroyo was quoted as saying as she added that President Duterte is a much stronger leader than she is; saying he could handle the situation even better.
As such, Arroyo said Duterte no longer needs her help as the latter has had enough experience, having served as her adviser on peace and order when she was still the President.
“President Duterte knows all the lessons because he has been helping me a lot during my time. He was my adviser on peace and order, especially on drugs and kidnapping. He knows my experience. He knows all the lessons,” she disclosed.
Earlier, Duterte declared a state of lawlessness throughout the country in the wake of the Davao City blast on September 2 which killed at least 14 people and left some 68 injured.
The declaration simply means that the military — not just the police — can help suppress lawless violence, the President’s aides explained as they said that the declaration will not amount to martial law, nor will it lead to the suspension of civil rights.
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella earlier said the declaration was provided for under the 1987 Constitution.
Back in 2003, Arroyo placed Davao City under a “state of lawlessness” after successive attacks on the international airport and Sasa wharf which left over two dozen people killed.