House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro strongly condemned former President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent statements suggesting the killing of senators to make way for PDP-Laban candidates, calling it dangerous and emblematic of the culture of violence that has plagued Philippine politics.
“These are not jokes. These statements from former President Duterte are dangerous and show the true nature of how they view political opposition – as targets for elimination. This kind of violent rhetoric has no place in a supposed democratic society,” Castro stated.
“Nakakabahala na ang dating pangulo mismo ang nagbibigay ng ganitong mga pahayag. Hindi biro ang pagpatay. Hindi biro ang terorismo. Ang mga ganitong pahayag ay nagpapakita ng tunay na kulay ng kanilang pamamahala – na mistulang nagpapapatay o pumapatay ng sinumang kumakalaban sa kanila,” she added.
Former ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio also denounced Duterte’s statements, emphasizing how such rhetoric normalizes political violence.
“This is precisely the kind of statement that encourages political violence and persecution. When a former president casually talks about bombing and killing opposition figures, it sends a chilling message about how they truly regard democratic processes,” Tinio said.
“Ang mga Duterte ay patuloy na naghahasik ng kultura ng karahasan at death threats sa ating pulitika. Hindi ito ang uri ng pamumuno na kailangan ng ating bansa,” he added.
Both legislators called for accountability and urged the public to reject such dangerous rhetoric in Philippine politics.#
