Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 Source: Mindanao Daily Mirror (Philippines) Copyright: 2006 Mindanao Daily Mirror Contact: http://www.dailymirror.net.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4053 Author: Editha Z. Caduaya Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rodrigo+Duterte (Rodrigo Duterte) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Summary+Execution (Summary Execution) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad (Davao Death Squad) DAVAO WARNS FOREIGNERS WITH CRIMINAL INTENT In true iron-fist fashion, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said while Davao City is a safe place for law-abiding people, it is dangerous for foreign tourists who are into the illegal drugs trade, trafficking of women and children, and pedophilia. Speaking to delegates of the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF), Duterte said Davao City "has the lowest incidence of drug cases." "Remind your countrymen that we value your presence here. Davao City and other parts of Mindanao are pretty safe - but there are rules to be followed," he said. He said visitors to the city should respect and abide by the laws of the city. "When I go to your country I also behave," he said, eliciting laughter from the audience. Duterte said foreign visitors who bring drugs and who rape and maltreat women and children "put their lives on the line." He cited the case of six foreign nationals who were killed in a firefight when a raid was conducted on December 31, 2004 on a shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) laboratory they were operating. "I will not allow kidnapping here. I will not allow women and children raped, and I will never allow drugs industry to ruin our people. If you do that you put yourself on the line," Duterte said. He also explained the city's anti-smoking ordinance. "We need to respect the non-smokers, but if you want there are places here where you can smoke," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Tom