DAVAO CITY, 3 August — The spokesman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday urged Davao City’s tough mayor not to spare North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol in his security campaign.
Eid Kabalu said Piñol was just using the alleged threat from the MILF as an excuse to extricate himself from Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign.
Piñol was said to have gotten in trouble for violating the city’s policy of allowing only up to two policemen in securing politicians when entering Davao.
Duterte, who often moves around the city in a motorcycle without bodyguards, has warned against violators of his order banning high powered firearms and limiting the entry of security escorts. He said he will not hesitate to order the Davao police to shoot it out with them.
Duterte said he finds the habit of so called “VIPs” of bringing in too many armed bodyguards corny and distasteful, aside from the fact that it violates the Alunan doctrine which prescribes guidelines for politicians in their use of firearms and bodyguards. Under the doctrine, the unchecked hiring of armed bodyguards which exceed the allowable number is tantamount to maintaining a private army, which is contrary to law.
Despite Duterte’s order, Piñol reportedly brought in so many bodyguards, prompting a confrontation with the city police.
In an interview with Radio Ukay yesterday, Kabalu said Piñol’s claim that he is the subject of assassination by the MILF “has no basis at all and therefore, a product of speculation.”
