Military adding malice, says Duterte

From the Sun Star-Davao (Jan 9): Military adding malice, says Duterte

VICE Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that some members of the military are adding malice to his position to serve as a link between the government and the communist group. "The most important thing that the military should realize is that we, in government, should serve as a channel, a window where we can communicate," Duterte said in a hastily-called press conference on Tuesday afternoon. Duterte said he chose to be a compromise political leader for as long as it does not harm the people of Davao City. "So you do not kill all your enemies. Di natin pwede patayin si Misuari, hindi pwede patayin si Jalandoni, kasi pagpinatay mo yan, wala na tayong kausap," he said. “Pwede ko pagbabarilin yan but it leaves you with nothing. This is not really a group of men, these are an army," he added.

On the other hand, Lieutenant General Jorge V. Segovia, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, refused to comment on vice mayor's statement that some military members put malice on his position to serve as a link between the government and the communist rebels. Duterte cleared his name out on the accusation that he gave a revolutionary tax to the New People’s Army during a visit to their camp on December 26. “I just want to let the people of Davao City know that nothing really mysterious there. I am pointing out to you the source. Pero bilib talaga ako nito (philanthropist), this is not the first time,” he said.

Duterte admitted turning over P500,000, but said the money was not from government but from a lady philanthropist and was intended for Typhoon Pablo victims. He said part of the amount was also given through the military. This lady philanthropist, the vice mayor said, also gave P1 million check for the cancer patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

He said a military officer could be behind the allegations that he gave money to the New People's Army rebels last December.  Duterte said this military officer, although he refused to identify, is now a general and used to be his friend.  Duterte added that this military officer had wanted to shake his hand once but he parried his hand away which, he said, angered the officer and could have forced him to make up stories against him.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/01/09/military-adding-malice-says-duterte-262181