http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100215hed6.html
Streets in Davao had to be closed owing to thousands of residents making up a massive crowd that had congregated at the Rizal Park where they stood waiting under the hot sun for former President Joseph Estrada to arrive and speak before them in a rally yesterday.
The former president, a charismatic political figure with whom the masses identify, continues to be wildly popular, especially in Mindanao.
Estrada has chosen to spend Valentine’s Day with the people of Davao.
The former president, who flew to Davao yesterday, vowed to dismantle the private armies and eliminate warlords from society should the electorate return him to Malacañang on June 30, 2001.
He condemned the recent shoot-out in Davao and expressed concern that cities such as Davao might soon see more victims of political killings.
“Davao City has earned the reputation of being a peaceful city amid the many lawless incidences from insurgents, secessionists and political warlords in Mindanao. I hope this will be an isolated case,” Estrada said.
Davao City has been pinpointed by United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston as having the dreaded Davao Death Squad (DDS) which is said to be behind political killings in the area.
“As long as political warlords are emboldened because of support, stated or otherwise, by the government, crimes such as this will continue. That is why I will make it a top priority to dismantle all private armies should I be elected president,” Estrada vowed.
Estrada said that no laws would have to be further created to dismantle private armies because their very existence is illegal. “The existence of private armies is illegal by itself.
Estrada’s peace and order program when he was then the sitting President, achieved great success. It was the time when the Philippine National Police received very high marks from the populace as effective protector of the people from lawless acts.
At the same time, Estrada had been credited with the success of bringing peace and order in the country during his aborted presidency.
It was a time when businesses hummed, and when foreign investors came to the country, feeling safe to do business in the country.
Estrada also achieved success in bringing peace to Mindanao when he launched an all-out offensive against the Muslim secessionists, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and drove the Muslim rebels out of the biggest government camp, Camp Abubakar, which was then controlled by the secessionists.
The all-out offensive also succeeded in government recapturing all the camps--some 40 of them --occupied by the MILF that was using them as recruitment and training camps of the rebels, against the government.
Estrada arrived in Davao City Sunday from Cagayan de Oro where he was welcomed by the Philippine Evangelical Network. Estrada was in Davao to attend the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
He also led the proclamation rally of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino at the Rizal Park at 7 pm.
Estrada was with his line up of senators: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Rep. Ompong Plaza, former Sen. Kit Tatad, and former Rep. Jun Lozada.
The former president, a charismatic political figure with whom the masses identify, continues to be wildly popular, especially in Mindanao.
Estrada has chosen to spend Valentine’s Day with the people of Davao.
The former president, who flew to Davao yesterday, vowed to dismantle the private armies and eliminate warlords from society should the electorate return him to Malacañang on June 30, 2001.
He condemned the recent shoot-out in Davao and expressed concern that cities such as Davao might soon see more victims of political killings.
“Davao City has earned the reputation of being a peaceful city amid the many lawless incidences from insurgents, secessionists and political warlords in Mindanao. I hope this will be an isolated case,” Estrada said.
Davao City has been pinpointed by United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston as having the dreaded Davao Death Squad (DDS) which is said to be behind political killings in the area.
“As long as political warlords are emboldened because of support, stated or otherwise, by the government, crimes such as this will continue. That is why I will make it a top priority to dismantle all private armies should I be elected president,” Estrada vowed.
Estrada said that no laws would have to be further created to dismantle private armies because their very existence is illegal. “The existence of private armies is illegal by itself.
Estrada’s peace and order program when he was then the sitting President, achieved great success. It was the time when the Philippine National Police received very high marks from the populace as effective protector of the people from lawless acts.
At the same time, Estrada had been credited with the success of bringing peace and order in the country during his aborted presidency.
It was a time when businesses hummed, and when foreign investors came to the country, feeling safe to do business in the country.
Estrada also achieved success in bringing peace to Mindanao when he launched an all-out offensive against the Muslim secessionists, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and drove the Muslim rebels out of the biggest government camp, Camp Abubakar, which was then controlled by the secessionists.
The all-out offensive also succeeded in government recapturing all the camps--some 40 of them --occupied by the MILF that was using them as recruitment and training camps of the rebels, against the government.
Estrada arrived in Davao City Sunday from Cagayan de Oro where he was welcomed by the Philippine Evangelical Network. Estrada was in Davao to attend the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
He also led the proclamation rally of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino at the Rizal Park at 7 pm.
Estrada was with his line up of senators: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Rep. Ompong Plaza, former Sen. Kit Tatad, and former Rep. Jun Lozada.
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