President Rodrigo Duterte said that there’s a possibility that he would fire Vice President Leni Robredo who’s currently the co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee Against Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

In an exclusive interview with GMA-7, President Duterte that there’s some information that the Vice President cannot reveal especially if it’s related in the security of the state.

According to Duterte, he would fire the Vice President immediately if ever she discloses some information about the state that considered as secret.

“There’s a limit to that. I know that she’s a lawyer and she has other advisers…There are certain matters that should be kept with the government, that classified matters cannot be shared,” said Duterte.

“Once [she does] that, she’s out, I would fire her. Because you jeopardized the security of the state,” he added.

Duterte made the remarks after Vice President Robredo reportedly asked the government about the list of the high-value targets.

PDEA chief Aaron Aquino questioned the reason why Robredo is interested in the said list.

“Meron atang hinihingi na list. One example ‘yung list ng high-value targets. So I think, nag-iisip naman ako bakit kailangan niya in the first place. Wala naman sa mandates namin ‘yun, na kailangan kumuha ng listahan ng high-value target,” Aquino said.

Robredo was appointed last week by President Duterte to lead the law enforcers.

The Vice President consulted several experts from the United States of America and the United Nations so she could get some ideas on how she would effectively enforce the law.

A former Scout Ranger and co-founder of the Young Officers Union, a group of rebel military officers in the late 80s Abe Purugganan urged President Rodrigo Duterte to remove Vice President Leni Robredo from her current position as co-chair of Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

On a Facebook post, Purugganan said that Robredo is becoming a “security risk” for saying that the law enforcement of the country is not doing their job properly.

Purugganan added that Robredo is only making fun of President Duterte and other government agencies dedicated to enforcing the law.

“She is now saying that the PDEA, PNP, NBI, AFP, PCG, NICA, IG, ISAFP, and the intelligence community including ICAD are not doing their job properly and that they are incompetent, operating without usable information. Has Mrs. Robredo been briefed on the intelligence and current situation? Kung hindi pa, huwag ng ituloy, baka lumabas pa yan sa CNN at ABS-CBN. She is a security risk,” Purruganan said.

“She is using her position to demolish the whole government effort,” he added.

“Mr.President, please fire her now! She has become a threat and a vulnerability. She is risking people’s lives and national security programs & government operations,” he also said.

On Tuesday, Robredo suggested that an evidence-based, data-driven campaign is more effective to enforce the law.

She said that she’s going to consult experts from other countries, but it doesn’t mean that they’re going to copy it.

“Gusto natin maging evidence-based. Gusto natin na mate-take into consideration yung lahat ng lessons na nakuha ng ibang bansa,” Robredo said.

“Mahirap kasi yung parang bira lang nang bira tapos walang namang plano [at] hindi data-driven. Kasi papaano tayo magta-target kung hindi natin alam kung sino yung ita-target natin.” she added.

Youth organization ‘Panday Sining’ released a statement amid the criticisms they received after they protested by painting the Lagusnilad underpass without the permission of the Manila City Government.

In a statement, Panday Sining said that they didn’t intend to annoy the citizens, but only to remind the people about the “worsening poverty, joblessness, and hunger” under the “Duterte regime”.

Panday Sining called what they did as “Graffiesta” a form of expressing their political beliefs by painting.

“That is why Panday Sining, a cultural organization of the youth, conducted its Graffiesta as a response to these worsening economic and political state of the nation,” the group said.

“We understand and recognize the sentiments of the public, but it is also high time that we talk about the worsening attacks to our democratic rights. The purpose of our protest art isn’t to spite the citizens of Manila but to sound the alarm of the public against these injustices. The clear enemy is the fascist US-Duterte regime,” they added.

They said that they’re willing to talk to Mayor Isko Moreno.

“We are very much willing to talk with Mayor Isko Moreno about the matter as he shares the same sentiment about wanting just and lasting peace,” they said.

The group also urged the other artist to “speak out” and criticize the policies of the Duterte administration.

“We call on all artists to speak out and utilize our art as a means to expose the injustices under Duterte and to fight for our democratic rights. We urge the people to oppose the de facto Martial Law and to frustrate the Duterte regime’s attempt to silence us,” they said.

Meanwhile, a lot of netizens criticized Panday Sining on their Facebook page.

“If your goal is to gain awareness, the majority is already aware of the futility of your acts; if you desire to achieve sympathy, you just lost one of the last souls who sympathized with you,” Dennis Reyes said.

“Your works are far from art. Don’t use art as your excuse for your vandalism. Writing in public walls is already an old school way. Use Social Media if you want to be heard,” Marvin go remarked.

Even Mayor Isko Moreno warned the members of Panday Sining not to be caught doing vandalism in Manila or else they’re going to lick their own painting to clean it.

“Wag kayong papahuli sakin, human rights? Pag nahuli ko kayo papadila ko sa inyo to, buburahin nyo to ng dila niyo,” Moreno said.

Mayor Isko Moreno expressed his disappointment after an activist group painted an “art protest” in the newly rehabilitated Lagusnilad underpass.

In an interview, Moreno said that they used the people’s money to repaint the vandal made by the activist group ‘Panday Sining’ on Tuesday.

According to him, he will use the tax money intended for their education as budget for repainting the vandalism they made.

“Ang gagawin ko sa mga rallyistang ito, yung perang ibibigay ko sa inyo para sa edukasyon, yung ang gagamitin kong pang pintura ng dinumihan ninyong pader, magutom kayong lahat sa loob ng eskwelahan,” Moreno said in an interview with CNN.

“Kung ako nasa National Government yan ang gagawin ko, kayo ang nambababoy… hindi makatwiran yan…” he added.

Moreno said that the activists are not cooperating with Manila’s mission to clean the city even if they’re searching for good politicians to handle the government.

“We don’t deserve this, the people of Manila don’t deserve this,” he said.

The Mayor also told the activist group not to be caught in the act or else he will do something to them.

“Wag kayong papahuli sakin, human rights? Pag nahuli ko kayo papadila ko sa inyo to, buburahin nyo to ng dila niyo,” he said.

“It took 15 years for that underpass to be attended, nobody attended to that underpass, people are afraid of passing through that underpass because there’s so much obstructions,” he added.

On Tuesday, Panday Sining claimed that they’re responsible for the “art protest” found in Lagusnilad which includes text like “Dimang Bayan, Sagot sa Martial Law”

They insisted that what they did is not vandalism.

The City Government of Manila quickly repainted it and reminded the netizens about the existence of Ordinance No. 7971 or “Anti-Vandalism Law of 1999.”

An activist group vandalized the Lagusnilad underpass after the City Government of Manila and several volunteers helped each other to clean the said infrastructure.

On a Facebook post, the Manila Tourism and Culture Affairs Bureau (MTCAB) expressed their sadness over the vandalism committed by the group ‘Panday Sining’ at Lagusnilad.

“Ang Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau ay nalulungkot sa pangyayaring ito. Ang lahat ng ito ay pinaghirapan na isaayos at pagandahin sa pagtutulungan ng bawat indibidwal na maibalik ang ganda at sigla ng Maynila,” MTCAB wrote.

“Hindi bandalismo ang sagot sa pagbabago. Disiplina at Pagunawa ang ating kailangan tungo sa mas maunlad na Maynila,” they added.

The vandalism included text like “digmang bayan sagot sa martial law” and “atin ang Pinas, US-China Layas!” which always being shouted by several activist groups.

Meanwhile, Anakbayan and Panday Sining insisted that what they put in the underpass is a kind of “art protest” and cannot be considered as vandalism.

Panday Sining called what they did as “Grafiesta”.

Mayor Isko Moreno is not yet releasing a statement over the “art” painted by the activist group.

A few months ago, Moreno warned the vandals that if they caught, they’re going to use their tongue to clear it.

“Kung mabisa ang laway nila, lawayan nila,” Moreno said when asked if how the vandals could clean up their graffitis.

He also said that he’s planning to build a “freedom wall” where people can express their feelings.

“Sayang naman ‘yung oras kung puro huli kami. Baka mas maganda kung makisuyo na lang kami,” Moreno said.

A human rights researcher said that he’s ready to help Vice President Leni Robredo on her job as the co-chair of the Interagency Committee on Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

On a Twitter post, the Director of Research and investigations Physician for Human Rights Phelim Kine offered his expertise to the Vice President, saying that he’s even ready to visit Robredo personally.

While he’s not yet visiting the Philippines, Kine said that Robredo should follow his first recommendation, detain President Duterte and his allies for committing EJKs.

“Dear VP @lenirobredo – my bags are packed and I’m ready to come to the #Philippines to help advise how to end this “drug war.” Kine said on his tweet.

Screenshot from @phelimkine Twitter page

The post of Kine has been swarmed by the critics of Vice President Leni Robredo and they defended President Duterte from the criticisms of the human rights researcher.

“You can never come and grab free publicity. One unsolicited advice, if in case you’ll succeed to sneak in, please take Leni with you, we don’t actually need her,” netizen @richardsJ1 tweeted.

“You are not welcome in the country. Bureau of Immigration and Deportation has been notified of your ‘unpleasant alien’ coming in,” @mandatummundi remarked.

Vice President Leni Robredo is not yet responding to Kine’s offer, however, she already said that she’s going to ask human rights experts for advice.

Kine spent his time doing human rights research and advocacy in countries including Afghanistan, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Myanmar and the Philippines.

Mayor Isko Moreno warned the members of the Manila Police District (MPD) that they might be transferred to Basilan if they’re still going to continue asking bribes from people.

During his speech after the flag-raising ceremony at the Bonifacio Monument, Moreno said that his warning is for all officers and the higher-ups are included including Police Brigadier General Bernabe M. Balba who heads MPD.

“Kayong mga Pulis, hindi kayo nagtitino… gusto niyo paring humawak sa kawali, gusto niyo paring napuputikan ang mga paa ninyo,” Moreno said.

“Oh ngayon, ipapakita ko sa inyo ang Basilan… ipapasyal ko kayo doon… I will move heaven and earth, sa lahat ng nangongotong na Pulis sa lungsod ng Maynila, may kalalagyan kayo sa pwitan ng bansa,” he added.

According to him, some cops are still asking money from the vendors in the exchange for continuing their businesses there.

Some of them are even cooperating with the so-called “organizers” who led the proliferation of illegal vendors in Manila City.

“Lahat ng Pulis, General Balba, inaabisuhan kita, PO1 inaabisuhan kita, lahat kayo… makikita ninyo ang hinahanap niyo… magpa-pasko na hindi parin kayo nagbabago? ano yun hihintayin ninyo ang bagong taon?,” he warned.

“Hindi totoo yun, ang pagbabago kahit kailangan pwedeng maganap… nasa may katawan lang yan,” he added.

Moreno vowed that he will give the worst punishment to the erring cops and they will wish “not to be ever alive again”.

Moreno made the said statement after he visited Ylaya, Binondo where he found a pile of garbage left by the vendors.

Because of the uncleanliness of the vendors, he ordered to forbid any hawkers to operate again in the said area.

Moreno is not the first public official who used Basilan to strike fear to erring cops.

In 2017, President Duterte sent 228 errant policemen to Basilan.

Mayor Isko Moreno had a bad mood on Monday after he saw the pile of garbage from the night vendors along Ylaya St, Binondo.

During the inspection, it can be heard that some of the vendors are greeting the Mayor, however, Moreno said that there’s no good morning after seeing that uncleanliness of the said area.

“Walang magandang umaga kung ganyan [ang makikita mo],” Moreno said while showing the garbage to the vendors who greeted him.

He also talked to some of the vendors, asking them how can they resist to see pile of garbage in front of them.

“Kaya ninyong tiisin yan?” Moreno said.

Moreno also confronted a man who tried to record a video of him while lecturing the vendors.

“Ano yang vini-video mo brad? Di naman ako nahihiya sa ginagawa ko, kayo ang mahiya sa ginagawa ninyo,” he told the man.

“Tignan ninyo [yung basura] oh, walang kusa… kahit anong awa ko sa kanila,” he also said.

After inspecting Ylaya, Binondo Moreno went to another side of Divisoria where the vendors are maintaining cleanliness.

During an interview with the media, Moreno said that he’s only showing his concern to the condition of Manila that’s why he’s having a bad mood after seeing the uncleanliness of Ylaya St.

“Naawa lang ako sa Maynila with all honesty nung nakita ko yung basura doon, di naman sa ano… pareho silang may tinda diba? Ano yung pinagkaiba ng mga manininda dito sa mga nanininda doon?” Moreno said.

“Dito malilinis sila sa buhay, doon mga baboy sila sa buhay… parang mali…” Moreno said.

Moreno said that the Manila City government is cleaning the streets every day, but sometimes he feels tired of seeing vendors kept leaving their garbage.

“Kita mo inalis ko na yung kotong, inalis ko na yung para kay ‘Eddie at Patty’…. tapos hiningi ko lang dalawang lane, tapos makakapag hanap buhay sila sa nanka at sa wakali, tapos anong ginawa nilang kapalit sa taong Maynila? basura? Masakit naman ata yun,” he said.

“Para pala talagang wala kayong katinuan sa katawan eh,” he added.

After his surprise visit, Moreno said that he would not let the vendors do their business again along Ylaya St and ordered the cops to monitor the area 24/7.