Will “They” Really Try to Kill President Duterte?
RodrigoDuterte, the outspoken President of the Philippines has by now, most
likely, joined the concealed, prestigious and permanent hit list of the
Empire.
The hit list is very long; it has
already been long for several decades. One could easily lose count and
get confused: how many personalities have been marked and secretly
condemned to death? How many of them actually died?
already been long for several decades. One could easily lose count and
get confused: how many personalities have been marked and secretly
condemned to death? How many of them actually died?
It reads like a catalogue of illustrious
world leaders: from Patrice Lumumba (Zaire), Mohammad Mosaddegh (Iran),
Hugo Chavez (Venezuela), Sukarno (Indonesia), Juvénal Habyarimana
(Rwanda), Salvador Allende (Chile) to Muammar Gaddafi (Libya),
Al-Basheer (Sudan) and Fidel Castro (Cuba), to name just a very few.
world leaders: from Patrice Lumumba (Zaire), Mohammad Mosaddegh (Iran),
Hugo Chavez (Venezuela), Sukarno (Indonesia), Juvénal Habyarimana
(Rwanda), Salvador Allende (Chile) to Muammar Gaddafi (Libya),
Al-Basheer (Sudan) and Fidel Castro (Cuba), to name just a very few.
Some were directly assassinated; others
were ‘only’ toppled, while only a handful of ‘marked’ leaders actually
managed to survive and to stay in power.
were ‘only’ toppled, while only a handful of ‘marked’ leaders actually
managed to survive and to stay in power.
There were several grave crimes
committed by almost all of them, very similar crimes. They include:
defending the vital interests of their nations and people, refusing to
allow the unbridled plunder of natural resources by multinational
corporations, and standing against the principles of imperialism. Simple
criticism of the Empire has also been often punishable by death.
committed by almost all of them, very similar crimes. They include:
defending the vital interests of their nations and people, refusing to
allow the unbridled plunder of natural resources by multinational
corporations, and standing against the principles of imperialism. Simple
criticism of the Empire has also been often punishable by death.
Mr. Duterte is committing all those
horrid crimes, which have been mentioned above. He seems to be ‘guilty
as charged’. He is denying nothing; he even appears to be proud of the
charges that are being brought against him.
horrid crimes, which have been mentioned above. He seems to be ‘guilty
as charged’. He is denying nothing; he even appears to be proud of the
charges that are being brought against him.
‘Is he bored with his life?’ some are asking. ‘Is he out of his mind? Is he ready to die?’
Is he a hero, a new Asian Hugo Chavez, or just an out of control populist?
He is definitely risking a lot, or maybe
he is even risking absolutely everything. He is now committing the most
unforgiveable sins in the eyes of the Western regime: he is openly
insulting the Empire and its institutions (including the UN, NATO and
the EU). He is even spitting in their faces!
he is even risking absolutely everything. He is now committing the most
unforgiveable sins in the eyes of the Western regime: he is openly
insulting the Empire and its institutions (including the UN, NATO and
the EU). He is even spitting in their faces!
‘To make it worse’, he is not only
chatting; he is taking decisive actions! He is trying to help the poor
in his country, he is flirting with the Communist Party and with the
socialists, and on top of it he is basically asking both China and
Russia for assistance.
chatting; he is taking decisive actions! He is trying to help the poor
in his country, he is flirting with the Communist Party and with the
socialists, and on top of it he is basically asking both China and
Russia for assistance.
The sparks are flying. Periodically such
people and institutions like Obama, Pope, the US, the EU, and the UN
get advised to go to hell, or are re-Christened as son-of-a-bitches or
son-of-a-whores!
people and institutions like Obama, Pope, the US, the EU, and the UN
get advised to go to hell, or are re-Christened as son-of-a-bitches or
son-of-a-whores!
And the people of the Philippines
absolutely love it. Duterte won elections with tiny margins, but his
latest approval rating towers at an astounding 76%. Some would therefore
argue that if ‘democracy’ is truly the ‘rule of the people’ (or at
least it should be reflecting the will of the people), then all is
exactly as it should be in the Philippines.
absolutely love it. Duterte won elections with tiny margins, but his
latest approval rating towers at an astounding 76%. Some would therefore
argue that if ‘democracy’ is truly the ‘rule of the people’ (or at
least it should be reflecting the will of the people), then all is
exactly as it should be in the Philippines.
*
While Eduardo Climaco Tadem, Professorial Lecturer of Asian Studies
(University of the Philippines Diliman),
is critical of Duterte’s ‘un-presidential’ speech writing and for him
“scoring negatively on the issue of civil and political human rights”,
he is clearly impressed by his achievements in several other spheres. As
he recently wrote to me in a letter:
is critical of Duterte’s ‘un-presidential’ speech writing and for him
“scoring negatively on the issue of civil and political human rights”,
he is clearly impressed by his achievements in several other spheres. As
he recently wrote to me in a letter:
“Positive initiatives on other fronts
have been taken. The appointment of Communist Party cadres to cabinet
positions for agrarian reform, social work and development, and
anti-poverty programs is good. Other left wing and progressive
personalities occupy other cabinet positions in labor, education,
health, science, and environment. More important, positive initiatives
have been taken on moving land distribution forward, ending labor
contractualization, reaching out to and learning from Cuba’s health
programs, and curtailing the environmentally destructive operations by
big mining corporations. Moreover, peace negotiations with both the CPP
and the MILF/MNLF have been revived with initial steps that are looking
good.
have been taken. The appointment of Communist Party cadres to cabinet
positions for agrarian reform, social work and development, and
anti-poverty programs is good. Other left wing and progressive
personalities occupy other cabinet positions in labor, education,
health, science, and environment. More important, positive initiatives
have been taken on moving land distribution forward, ending labor
contractualization, reaching out to and learning from Cuba’s health
programs, and curtailing the environmentally destructive operations by
big mining corporations. Moreover, peace negotiations with both the CPP
and the MILF/MNLF have been revived with initial steps that are looking
good.
An independent foreign policy has been
announced and Duterte no longer kowtows to the US and Western powers,
unlike previous presidents before him. He is also mending fences with
China and taking a different and less belligerent track in resolving the
territorial disputes in the South China Sea…”
announced and Duterte no longer kowtows to the US and Western powers,
unlike previous presidents before him. He is also mending fences with
China and taking a different and less belligerent track in resolving the
territorial disputes in the South China Sea…”
That is all ‘bad’, extremely bad as far
as Washington, London and Tokyo are concerned. Such behavior never goes
unnoticed and unpunished!
as Washington, London and Tokyo are concerned. Such behavior never goes
unnoticed and unpunished!
The response of the Empire came almost immediately this time.
On September 20, 2016, the International Business Times reported:
“The Philippines government has claimed
that a coup d’état is being masterminded against President Rodrigo
Duterte and said the administration is cracking down on the suspected
plotters. A government spokesperson said some Filipino-Americans in New
York are planning to oust the abrasive leader.
that a coup d’état is being masterminded against President Rodrigo
Duterte and said the administration is cracking down on the suspected
plotters. A government spokesperson said some Filipino-Americans in New
York are planning to oust the abrasive leader.
Without revealing the names of the
suspected plotters or their plans, the Philippines government
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said those conspiring against
Duterte should “think twice… ‘I have received information from credible
sources in the United States. Yes, we have names but I don’t want to
mention it. We are looking [at] it seriously. We are investigating it,’”
said the senior government official.
suspected plotters or their plans, the Philippines government
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said those conspiring against
Duterte should “think twice… ‘I have received information from credible
sources in the United States. Yes, we have names but I don’t want to
mention it. We are looking [at] it seriously. We are investigating it,’”
said the senior government official.
The coups, the assassination plots. Soft
coups, hard coups: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Syria,
Ukraine, Libya, Paraguay, Honduras, and Sudan, half of Africa… All in
just the few last years…and now the Philippines? Bravo, the Empire is
accelerating! The work ethic of its cutthroats is clearly improving.
coups, hard coups: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Syria,
Ukraine, Libya, Paraguay, Honduras, and Sudan, half of Africa… All in
just the few last years…and now the Philippines? Bravo, the Empire is
accelerating! The work ethic of its cutthroats is clearly improving.
*
President Duterte has it all figured
out. As mentioned above, he has already defined President Obama as a
‘son-of-a-bitch’, ‘son-of-a-whore’, and recently suggested that ‘he goes
to hell’.
out. As mentioned above, he has already defined President Obama as a
‘son-of-a-bitch’, ‘son-of-a-whore’, and recently suggested that ‘he goes
to hell’.
That is even tougher than what President
Hugo Chavez used to say about George W Bush, also known as “Señor W”.
And President Chavez, according to many Latin American analysts, ended
up paying for his openness, antagonism towards the Empire and
imperialism in general, with his own life.
Hugo Chavez used to say about George W Bush, also known as “Señor W”.
And President Chavez, according to many Latin American analysts, ended
up paying for his openness, antagonism towards the Empire and
imperialism in general, with his own life.
The truth is that the Empire never
forgives those who show it a mirror. It kills mercilessly for the
tiniest signs of disobedience, rebelliousness. Its propaganda apparatus
and its right hand – the mass media – then always manage to craft a
suitable explanation and justification. And the public in both North
America and Europe is fully complacent, indoctrinated and passive; it
only defends its own narrow interests, never the victim, especially if
the victim is from some far-away country inhabited by ‘un-people’.
forgives those who show it a mirror. It kills mercilessly for the
tiniest signs of disobedience, rebelliousness. Its propaganda apparatus
and its right hand – the mass media – then always manage to craft a
suitable explanation and justification. And the public in both North
America and Europe is fully complacent, indoctrinated and passive; it
only defends its own narrow interests, never the victim, especially if
the victim is from some far-away country inhabited by ‘un-people’.
The great Indonesian President Sukarno
was overthrown and destroyed (among other things) for shouting publicly
at the US ambassador: “To hell with your aid!” …And of course, for
defending the interests of his people against the Empire. Patrice
Lumumba was assassinated for daring to say that Africans have no reason
to be grateful to the colonizers.
was overthrown and destroyed (among other things) for shouting publicly
at the US ambassador: “To hell with your aid!” …And of course, for
defending the interests of his people against the Empire. Patrice
Lumumba was assassinated for daring to say that Africans have no reason
to be grateful to the colonizers.
Duterte
says much more. He is bitter and he has countless reasons to be. The
United States murdered more than one million Philippine people, most of
them at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th Century. In
recent history, it has turned this once proud and promising nation into a
doormat, into a humiliated semi-colony, fully dependent on Washington’s
whims. Capitalist and totally pro-American, the Philippines has
evolved, like Indonesia, into a ‘failed state’, a social disaster and an
intellectual wasteland.
says much more. He is bitter and he has countless reasons to be. The
United States murdered more than one million Philippine people, most of
them at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th Century. In
recent history, it has turned this once proud and promising nation into a
doormat, into a humiliated semi-colony, fully dependent on Washington’s
whims. Capitalist and totally pro-American, the Philippines has
evolved, like Indonesia, into a ‘failed state’, a social disaster and an
intellectual wasteland.
*
President Duterte has managed to put in place a determined cabinet of like-minded thinking intellectuals and bureaucrats.
As RT reported recently:
“Duterte’s foreign secretary,
Perfecto Yasay, who has at times tried to downplay his boss’s comments,
released a statement on Facebook titled “America has failed us” in which
he says that, while there are many “countless things that we will be
forever grateful to America for,” the US has never fully respected
Philippine independence.”“After proclaiming in July 4, 1946
that the Filipinos had been adequately trained for self-determination
and governance, the United States held on to invisible chains that
reined us in towards dependency and submission as little brown brothers
not capable of true independence and freedom,” the FM said in the
statement.”
Such statements very rarely appear in
the pages of Western mainstream media publications, where Duterte and
his cabinet are uninterruptedly demonized and ridiculed.
the pages of Western mainstream media publications, where Duterte and
his cabinet are uninterruptedly demonized and ridiculed.
This is how the latest headlines on the Philippines read:
‘Drug-dealing daughter of playboy baron Antony Moynihan is shot dead in the Philippines’ (Daily Mail).
‘The president of Philippines has been
accused of feeding a man alive to a crocodile’ (The Journal.ie via Yahoo
UK & Ireland News)
accused of feeding a man alive to a crocodile’ (The Journal.ie via Yahoo
UK & Ireland News)
‘Special Report – in Duterte’s war on drugs, local residents help draw up hit list’ (Reuters)
‘Duterte killed justice official, hitman tells Philippine senate’ (AFP)
Nothing about the fight for social justice! Nothing about the battle against Western imperialism.
The war on drugs…
Yes, many people in the Philippines are
genuinely concerned that the ‘bodies are piling’ and the approach of
this government could be defined as too heavy-handed, even intolerable.
genuinely concerned that the ‘bodies are piling’ and the approach of
this government could be defined as too heavy-handed, even intolerable.
But the situation is not that simple.
This is not Europe. This is Asia with its own culture dynamics and
problems. In Philippines, the crime rate has reached grotesque heights,
unseen almost anywhere else in Asia Pacific. Much of the criminality is
related to drugs. And people are genuinely fed-up. They demand decisive
action.
This is not Europe. This is Asia with its own culture dynamics and
problems. In Philippines, the crime rate has reached grotesque heights,
unseen almost anywhere else in Asia Pacific. Much of the criminality is
related to drugs. And people are genuinely fed-up. They demand decisive
action.
For many years, Mr. Duterte used to
serve as the Mayor of Davao, a city on the island of Mindanao. Davao
used to be synonymous with delinquency; a tough place to live and many
say, almost impossible place to govern.
serve as the Mayor of Davao, a city on the island of Mindanao. Davao
used to be synonymous with delinquency; a tough place to live and many
say, almost impossible place to govern.
Mr Duterte is honest. He openly admits
that he could not have lasted long as a mayor of Davao, if he ‘was
following the 10 Commandments’. Perhaps no one could.
that he could not have lasted long as a mayor of Davao, if he ‘was
following the 10 Commandments’. Perhaps no one could.
He is extremely sensitive to criticism
of his human rights record. Whether it comes from the UN or EU or the
US, his reply is mostly defiant and consistent: “Fuck you!”
of his human rights record. Whether it comes from the UN or EU or the
US, his reply is mostly defiant and consistent: “Fuck you!”
And that is what usually gets reported in the West.
But what is omitted is that Rodrigo Duterte usually continues, explaining:
You tell me about human rights? What
about those millions you are killing all over the world, including
recently in Iraq, Libya and Syria? What about the Filipino people that
you had slayed? And what about your own people, African-Americans who
are being slaughtered by police, every day?
about those millions you are killing all over the world, including
recently in Iraq, Libya and Syria? What about the Filipino people that
you had slayed? And what about your own people, African-Americans who
are being slaughtered by police, every day?
He does not hide his deep allergy
towards Western hypocrisy. For centuries, the United States and Europe
have been killing millions, plundering entire continents, and then they
reserve the right to judge, criticize and boss around others. Directly,
or through institutions they control, like the United Nations. Again,
his reply is clearly Sukarno-esque: “To hell with you! To hell with your
aid!”
towards Western hypocrisy. For centuries, the United States and Europe
have been killing millions, plundering entire continents, and then they
reserve the right to judge, criticize and boss around others. Directly,
or through institutions they control, like the United Nations. Again,
his reply is clearly Sukarno-esque: “To hell with you! To hell with your
aid!”
But you will not read this on the pages
of the The New York Times or The Economist. There it is all about the
‘war on drugs’, about the ‘innocent victims’ and of course about the
‘strongman’ Duterte.
of the The New York Times or The Economist. There it is all about the
‘war on drugs’, about the ‘innocent victims’ and of course about the
‘strongman’ Duterte.
*
The situation is evolving rapidly.
Recently, President Duterte ordered a
halt to a military drill, dubbed as the ‘Philippines Amphibious Landing
Exercise’ (Phiblex). It began on 4th October and was scheduled to run
for more than one week. Around 1,400 Americans and 500 Filipino troops
are involved in the war games, some dangerously close to the waters near
the disputed islands in South China Sea.
halt to a military drill, dubbed as the ‘Philippines Amphibious Landing
Exercise’ (Phiblex). It began on 4th October and was scheduled to run
for more than one week. Around 1,400 Americans and 500 Filipino troops
are involved in the war games, some dangerously close to the waters near
the disputed islands in South China Sea.
According to several leading Filipino
intellectuals, the US has been using the Philippines for its aggressive
imperialist ambitions in the region, consistently antagonizing and
provoking China.
intellectuals, the US has been using the Philippines for its aggressive
imperialist ambitions in the region, consistently antagonizing and
provoking China.
Duterte’s government is determined to
move much closer to China and away from the West. It is very likely that
the Philippines and China will be able to resolve all disagreements in
the foreseeable future. That is, if the US will be out, kept permanently
at bay.
move much closer to China and away from the West. It is very likely that
the Philippines and China will be able to resolve all disagreements in
the foreseeable future. That is, if the US will be out, kept permanently
at bay.
To demonstrate its goodwill towards
China, and to show its new independent course, Manila is also planning
to cancel all 28 annual military exercises with the United States.
China, and to show its new independent course, Manila is also planning
to cancel all 28 annual military exercises with the United States.
President Duterte knows perfectly well
what is at stake. To mark his 100 days in office, he has given several
fiery speeches, acknowledging that the West may try to remove him from
the office, even kill him:
what is at stake. To mark his 100 days in office, he has given several
fiery speeches, acknowledging that the West may try to remove him from
the office, even kill him:
“You want to oust me? You want to use
the CIA? Go ahead… Be my guest. I don’t give a shit! I’ll be ousted?
Fine. (If so) it’s part of my destiny. Destiny carries so many things.
If I die, that’s part of my destiny. Presidents get assassinated.”
the CIA? Go ahead… Be my guest. I don’t give a shit! I’ll be ousted?
Fine. (If so) it’s part of my destiny. Destiny carries so many things.
If I die, that’s part of my destiny. Presidents get assassinated.”
They do. They often do get assassinated.
But recently, one after another,
countries all over the world are joining the anti-imperialist coalition.
Some are prevailing; others get destabilized (like Brazil),
economically devastated (like Venezuela) or fully destroyed (like
Syria). All defiant nations, from Russia to China, the DPRK and Iran are
demonized by Western propaganda and its mass media.
countries all over the world are joining the anti-imperialist coalition.
Some are prevailing; others get destabilized (like Brazil),
economically devastated (like Venezuela) or fully destroyed (like
Syria). All defiant nations, from Russia to China, the DPRK and Iran are
demonized by Western propaganda and its mass media.
But it seems that the world has had
enough. The Empire is crumbling; it is panicking. It is killing more and
more, but it is not winning.
enough. The Empire is crumbling; it is panicking. It is killing more and
more, but it is not winning.
Are Filipinos joining this alliance?
After only 100 days in the office, it seems that President Duterte has
made up his mind: No more servitude! No coming back!
After only 100 days in the office, it seems that President Duterte has
made up his mind: No more servitude! No coming back!
Is he going to survive? Is he going to stay on his course?
How tough is he, really? One has to have
nerves of steel to confront the Empire! One has to have at least nine
lives to survive the countless intricate assassination plots, elaborate
propaganda schemes, and trickeries. Is he ready for all this? It appears
that he is.
nerves of steel to confront the Empire! One has to have at least nine
lives to survive the countless intricate assassination plots, elaborate
propaganda schemes, and trickeries. Is he ready for all this? It appears
that he is.
The elites of his country have fully
sold out to the West; the same as those of Indonesia and to a great
extent, Thailand and Malaysia.
sold out to the West; the same as those of Indonesia and to a great
extent, Thailand and Malaysia.
It will be an uphill struggle. It already is.
But the majority of his nation is behind
him. For the first time in modern history, Filipino people may have a
chance to take control over their own destiny, in their own hands.
him. For the first time in modern history, Filipino people may have a
chance to take control over their own destiny, in their own hands.
And if the West does not like what is
pouring out from Manila? President Duterte doesn’t care. He has declared
that he has already prepared plenty of counter-questions. And if the
West cannot answer them:
pouring out from Manila? President Duterte doesn’t care. He has declared
that he has already prepared plenty of counter-questions. And if the
West cannot answer them:
“If they are unable to answer, son of a
whore, go home, you animal. I will kick you now. Do not piss me off. It
cannot be that they are brighter than me, believe me!”
whore, go home, you animal. I will kick you now. Do not piss me off. It
cannot be that they are brighter than me, believe me!”
Most likely, they are not; they are not brighter than him. But they are definitely more ruthless, more brutal.
What are they accusing him of? Of a ‘war on drugs’, that has taken around 3,000 lives?
How many lives has the West (or those
‘son-of-whores’, as many would call it these days in the Philippines)
taken after the end of WWII, all over the world? Is it 40 or 50 million?
Depends how it is calculated: ‘directly’ or ‘indirectly’.
‘son-of-whores’, as many would call it these days in the Philippines)
taken after the end of WWII, all over the world? Is it 40 or 50 million?
Depends how it is calculated: ‘directly’ or ‘indirectly’.
The Empire will almost certainly try to murder President Duterte, most likely soon, very soon.
In order to survive, to keep on going,
to keep fighting, to defend his battered and exploited country, he will
most definitely have to permanently forget all about the 10
Commandments.
to keep fighting, to defend his battered and exploited country, he will
most definitely have to permanently forget all about the 10
Commandments.
Andre Vltchek is philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist, he’s a creator of Vltchek’s World an a dedicated Twitter user, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook.”
Ακολουθήστε το infognomonpolitics.gr στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσεις που αφορούν τα εθνικά θέματα, τις διεθνείς σχέσεις, την εξωτερική πολιτική, τα ελληνοτουρκικά και την εθνική άμυνα.
Ακολουθήστε το infognomonpolitics.gr στο FacebookΑκολουθήστε τον Σάββα Καλεντερίδη στο Facebook
Ακολουθήστε τον Σάββα Καλεντερίδη στο Twitter
Εγγραφείτε στο κανάλι του infognomonpolitics.gr στο Youtube