Pubdate: Sun, 21 Aug 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Note:  also listed for feedback
Author: Ben O. Tesiorna
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rodrigo+Duterte

DAVAO MAYOR SAYS TERRORISTS LEGITIMATE TARGETS FOR LIQUIDATION

DAVAO CITY -- Terrorists planning to attack the city are "legitimate
targets" for summary executions, said Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
when asked about the security threat during the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Tourism Forum (ATF) January next year.

Asked if the city's strong campaign against illegal drugs and other
criminalities would take a backseat when Davao becomes host to more
than 3,000 international travel buyers expected to flock early next
year, Duterte said his campaign would definitely not wane just because
of the ATF.

Duterte said he would even add terrorists in their list of targets and
not just drug dealers and other criminals.

"I consider them (terrorists) as legitimate targets for extra-judicial
assassination," Duterte said without batting an eyelash.

The mayor has been blamed, time and again, as responsible for the
series of summary executions against suspected illegal drug dealers.
He, however, denied such accusation.

Davao City will host the ATF next year with thousands of foreign
diplomats and tourism, players attending the event. Duterte admitted
that his main concern in hosting the event is the terrorism threat.

He assured though that they would do their best to protect and secure
all visitors in the city anytime and all the time.

He added he is willing and ready to host the ATF early next year that
will hopefully make the city as a major international tourist
destination of the Philippines.

This was the assurance made by Duterte during a press conference
Saturday morning to formally announce the holding of the ATF in the
country on January 2006 with Davao City as host city.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said next year's event will attract some
3,000 international travel buyers all over the world. It was learned
that this will be the third time that the Philippines will host such
an event.

Durano said they hope that with Davao as the city host this will make
the city as a major international tourist destination just like what
happened to Cebu City when it hosted the ATF in 1998.

The next time that Philippines will be hosting an Asean event such as
this magnitude would be in 2016, Durano said.

The city is mandated to raise at least P20 million as counterpart to
the estimated P100 million budget for the said event which will run
from January 13 to 21, 2006.

Representatives from all 10-member countries will troop in Davao City
for the nine-day affair that would include the ministerial meeting and
the travel fair that would be held at the NCCC mall.

Duterte thanked the DOT for the confidence and trust given to Davao in
hosting the event. He assured them that the city can easily provide
for the P20 million counterpart.

"P20 million? Chicken lang yan. I just hope that Davao City is still
part of the Philippines when that time comes?" Duterte said in jest.

The mayor said their main concern in holding the event though is the
terror threat.

Duterte said that aside from the P20 million counterpart he would have
to shell out additional P7 million for the security
preparation.

Myanmar was supposed to host this year's event but they ceded the
chairmanship of the Asean this year to the Philippines. Durano said no
less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hinted to him for Davao
City to host next year's event. 
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