Apparently new president Duterte was not kidding when he promised police the right to kill those involved in drug activity on the spot… no trial. …“if they kill 1,000 people while doing their duty, he would protect them” (charming) So, that is happening. Meanwhile “unknown assailants” are jumping in on the fun. Crazy thing is, Duterte remains extremely popular… Is this a ticking time bomb or what?
I don’t think this is a ticking time bomb yet. From time to time, when things suck, people seem to want a strongman. If he can demonstrate the ability to control his gangs and back off when necessary, he may be very effective. Time will tell if it spins out of control.
You are surprised he is extremely popular?
No way this doesn’t spin out of control, but we’ll see. Funny thing is that in the meantime his country continues to hold Peter Scully and provide due process while the death penalty remains off the table. WTF is with that? If there ever was a guy that deserved it…
Maybe not surprised he is popular for now… and maybe this method will actually be effective in cleaning up drug related crime. But why would that be the end of it? (your ominous “yet”) I’m more surprised at people lack of ability to see how dangerous the situation could become. They fail to see how easily the target could be on their own back (drugs or no drugs)
It has been proven that punishment is not a deterrent for drug trafficking/smuggling. Iran has one of the highest R executions related to drugs and yet the problem is still there. Many other examples could be pointed out also.
^^It is not the punishable by death part that worries me, it is the kill on the spot------no trial part that freaks me out. I mean, haven’t they just set up the scaffolding for a profitable hitman business under the protection of the president himself_… “Hey, are you tired of that SOB neighbor of your’s being alive?? no problem, just give us an envelope of cash with their name on it and slip a doobie under their doormat. Leave the rest to us!”_
Singapore?
^ China ?
?
its surprising really. i never would have expected someone from the mostly muslim southern region who wasnt catholic to be elected.
hes bluntly honest and speaks his mind. he did well as mayor too. he brought crime down. brought development money to the place. pushed back the terrorists.
other presidential candidates were either holier than thou oligarchs or corrupt individuals. duterte really won by popularity. just goes to show how bad crime is down there that people are willing to elect a strongman who will suppress human rights for it.
i was not in favor of him back then. but he is really something different. his policies are pretty sound. with us/china. commie/muslim rebels. and even with economic development.
but as others have said. this will most likely go bad. he has shown signs of ending congress if they get in the way. and as the old adage goes: absolute power corrupts absolutely.
*popcorn*
https://www.yahoo.com/news/duterte-threatens-withdraw-philippines-un-hits-us-064803450.html
He makes some decent points though. I think the UN is going to break apart eventually.
UN should break apart. it’s a failed attempt to reign in and take punitive actions to “bad nations”, but it doesn’t do jack. Iran and north Korea kept doing what they do. and China and Russia just vote whatever they want and are too powerful to overturn. so the US seems to go its own way anyway.
What good points? He makes zero good points.
Best you don’t mention that to him.
It’s long past time the Philippines grew some balls, they’ve been a US slave colony forever. 
“Who is he? I am the president of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony,” Duterte said. “I only am answerable to the Filipino people who elected me as president.”
I’m going there for a month in November, i’ll let you know how it is. Stopping in Davao City for a week.
OP - I’d call this a “return to normalcy”. Many Filipinos speak fondly of Marcos. They viewed Aquino as corrupt. Duterte’s heavy handed methods worked to clean up Davao City, waiting to see if it will work long term in Manila.
I agree. Let’s take away that $134 million in aid we send them every year. And, let’s remove the Navy from the South China sea.
Obama is about as limp-wristed as it comes, but you call the American President the “son of a whore” and you’re going to get curbstomped.
Edit: not sure why purealpha’s post didn’t show up when I quoted it, but I was responding to his statement.
appology in order
This is disputable. The Economist and some other sources claim Davao is still the “murder capital” of the Philippines. However, there are just as many other sources saying it is now one of the safest cities in the world …so…???