WaPo | A further, related point needs to be made: Duterte has been careful
to lay out a case to the public and his subordinates for a “just war” through the use of dossiers
containing lists of officials and others he insists are drug lords,
which he waves around during speeches. Some of these are explicitly
identified; others are mentioned obliquely, suggesting that he is giving
them a chance to mend their ways. And always, he warns: If you do not
surrender or stop, do not be surprised by what happens to you.
This method provides an alibi
not only for himself but also for all officialdom. Here is political
will in spades: assuming responsibility, reiterating the justness of his
war, assuring everyone implicated that the president has their backs.
Whether shocked or awed by the outcome, the country is assured of one
thing: their collective innocence in what has transpired. And so the
country can applaud the liquidations with a clear conscience.
The
day after Tillerson left, having dispensed with the looming expectation
of foreign criticism, Duterte was triumphant and uncompromising.
Addressing the police during their anniversary celebrations, he said:
“Find me a law … that says it is illegal to say those words, ‘I will
kill you if you destroy my country and the youth of my land.’ “
rappler | Early this month, he threatened to expose Inquirer's majority owners, the Prieto-Rufino families. Two weeks later, on July 17, the Prietos sold their stake to business tycoon Ramon Ang, a close associate of the President. (READ: Meet Ramon Ang, Filipino billionaire and Dutert's friend)
In targeting Rappler, he cited Article 16, Section 11 of
the Constitution. "The ownership and management of mass media shall be
limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives
or associations, wholly-owned and managed by such citizens,"reads the
charter.
Rappler has debunked this claim on foreign ownership, which was first circulated by Duterte's online defenders. (READ: Debunking lies about Rappler)
Rappler is 100% Filipino-owned even if the company uses
Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to allow foreign partners to have
commercial interests.
Omidyar Network and North Base Media, groups composed of international journalists and investors, have economic interests but own no part of Rappler.
PDRs are financial tools that individuals
or entities can use to have a stake in a company they believe in. Their
involvement is limited to potential commercial benefits. They neither
get voting rights on the Board nor have a say in the management or
day-to-day operations of the company.
