A retired General of Philippine Marines expressed his anger over the actions of opposition senatorial bets Otso Diretso in Masinloc, Zambales yesterday after the critics of the administration attempted to travel to Panatag Shoal.
In a letter he forwarded to retired soldier Abe Purugganan, Gen. Orlando De Leon said that he would personally bring Otso Diretso Candidates to Panatag Shoal in one condition.
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He challenged the opposition candidates to live in Panatag Shoal for one month until the election period is done.
De Leon said that Otso Diretso cannot bring their phone or other communication devices there so they cannot ask for help if something wrong happened during their travel there.
This is what De Leon said:
“Ok, kayong mga Ocho ocho, lalo ka na Alejano, ang tatapang nyong maghamon na haharapin nyo mga Intsik sa Ayungin. Ngayon ako naman ang maghahamon sainyo, lahat kayong Ocho. Sasamahan ko kayo papuntang Spratly bukas mismo kung tatanggapin nyo. Isang buwan tayo dun. Balik tayo after elections na. Walang magdadala ng phone o kahit anong type ng communication para di makatawag ng saklolo. Kung di nyo tatanggapin ang hamon na to, tumahimik na lang kayo, lalo ka na Alejano. Gademet,
P.S.
Sagaran na to. Itataya ko na pati pension differential ko, matuloy lang ang hamon na to. Kung may mag-volunteer dyan ng medyo malaking barko, isasama ko na rin pati supporters ng Ocho ocho. Tara na mga dipungal kamo.”
De Leon served the Philippine Army for 37 years.
The visit of Otso Diretso became a viral topic yesterday, creating another debate between the pro and anti-Duterte group on how the Philippines will handle the alleged occupation committed by China in the West Philippine Sea.
While Otso Diretso claimed that they are barred them from visiting Panatag Shoal, however, the Philippine Coast Guard denied that they stop the senatorial candidates from visiting the said place.
“I asked our Subic station, there was no report of that incident and we are not preventing anyone from going to the Scarborough Shoal,” PCG spokesman Captain Armand Balilo said.
Photo: Otso Diretso