Pubdate: Mon, 06 Jun 2016 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 Author: Floro Mercene LET'S WISH MR. DUTERTE SUCCESS PRESIDENT-elect Rodrigo Duterte has yet to assume office at the end of June and already, his pronouncements are bearing fruit. He said he has some excess campaign contributions to fund the elimination of at least 100 bodies. His marching orders to capture drug lords "dead or alive" have driven the rats to abandon ship. Suddenly, the denizens of Sleepy Hollow have awakened from their deep stupor. Our law enforcement agencies have finally found their spines and are now engaged in enthusiastic seizures of drug-dealers, manufacturers, and distributors. Some of these untouchables are now being hauled to police precincts after they were found with damning evidence. Vagrants are being arrested. Over-staying teenagers are collared and given a lesson on how to be dutiful children. Drunken behavior seems to have gone down. Duterte said DUI driving under the influence of liquor is a criminal offense and a sure-fire way to kill innocent bystanders. Drugs are being thrown on the streets. The owners have felt that their homes could suddenly be the subject of surprise visit from the police, thus, prices of drugs have plummeted. But the drug dealers are being given six months to shape-up or ship-out. That makes me wonder? Why this leniency being given freely to these dregs of society to escape and not answer for their crimes? The law says, regardless of who sits in Malacanang, a drug offender is subject to arrest, conviction, and prosecution. That order to shoot-and-kill drug offenders would surely raise the hackles of Human Rights advocates. That also goes true for his statement that members of media who were killed were corrupt. This might give the wrong impression to some lawmen, or warlords, and might suddenly take the law into their hands. Anyway, it's too early to say whether Mr. Duterte would be able to carry out cleansing the Augean stable, which our country sorely needs. Or he might stop in mid-stream because he is a flash in the pan. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Whenever Mr. Duterte goes off-tangent and deviates from very serious topics to wolf-whistle, he gives me the creeps. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom