Andanar on Duterte: Don't take him literally

RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/06/30/duterte-062516.jpg"/></figure></div>Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Thursday urged the public not to take literally President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement wherein he claimed he killed people.In an ambush interview outside the Istana Main Building in Singapore, Andanar told reporters, “You know very well that the President pag nagsalita ay matapang. Since he was the mayor he speaks like that but hindi naman lahat you should take it literally because it has always been the style of the president to instill fear in the minds of the criminals so that they won&#x27;t do any harm. Alam niyo naman that is really the style of the president .”Andanar denied that the president really said he killed people personally in the past.“I reviewed the tape and he didn&#x27;t say that he personally killed he said that he goes around Davao and looking for an encounter, a chance encounter with these criminals at kung meron mang encounter na nangyari, if you are the mayor, the person of authority based on our laws, your life is in danger, you can very well defend yourself.“Duterte on Monday said he <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/14/16/duterte-says-he-personally-killed-people" target="_blank">personally</a> killed suspected criminals when he was mayor of Davao City to set an example for police.Duterte made the comments in a speech to businessmen as he discussed his campaign to eradicate illegal drugs, which has seen police and unknown assailants kill thousands of people since he became president on June 30.After speaking about police killing suspects during the current crime war, Duterte said he led similar efforts when he was mayor of Davao, the major southern city that he ruled for most of the previous 20 years.&quot;In Davao I used to do it personally. Just to show to the guys (police) that if I can do it why can&#x27;t you,&quot; Duterte said in his speech at the presidential palace.&quot;And I&#x27;d go around in Davao with a motorcycle, with a big bike around, and I would just patrol the streets, looking for trouble also. I was really looking for a confrontation so I could kill.&quot;

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Thursday urged the public not to take literally President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement wherein he claimed he killed people.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Thursday urged the public not to take literally President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement wherein he claimed he killed people.

Andanar on Duterte: Don't take him literally | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Lifestyle

Sports

More

Traffic

Horoscope

News

Andanar on Duterte: Don't take him literally

Andanar on Duterte: Don't take him literally

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 15, 2016 08:39 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

Martin Andanar

war on drugs

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.