DAVAO CITY (June 12)-— Militant protesters tried to disrupt President Rodrigo Duterte as he leads the 120th commemoration of the country’s Independence Day in Kawit, Cavite, earlier today.
Protesters were shouting and chanting anti-Duterte sentiments, but Duterte, instead, ordered the police “to deal with them peacefully and maximum tolerance.”
Duterte was about to start his speech when protesters started to shout “Duterte traidor” but his response was “Freedom of expression, you have it, okay lang, I will understand.”
The President apologized for his late attendance citing air traffic.
When a staff whispered something to him, he answered “Di’ manonood ako, kasi hindi naman lahat.”
Listening to the protesters, Duterte said “Our Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and free expression, advise law enforcement to deal with them peacefully and the maximum tolerance.”
He thanked the people for attending the ceremony,he emphasized “We nay not understand each other but there is common denominator, that is– love of country, nobody but nobody can ever question sa pagmamahal ko sa bayan. Ang lalayo ko sa mindanao, naparating ako dito, why do you think? ambition? it is love of country and the Caviteño, mahal ko kayo. Pati na yong mga nag protesta mahal ko rin sila. Ayaw ninyong maniwala basta yon ang totoo.”
Duterte apologized before the members of the Diplomatic community as he failed to recognized them at the start of his speech.-NewsLine.ph
