Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Loida Nicolas-Lewis
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Councilors on Tuesday, February 13 declared two critics of President Dutetere as unwelcomed individuals in Davao City over their recent acts which officials deemed as offensive to Dabawenyos.
Tagged “persona non grata” in separate resolutions were opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Filipino-American millionaire Loida Nicolas-Lewis. The resolutions were approved during Tuesday’s regular council session.
The resolution on Trillanes’ case was based on his remarks at a gathering in Chicago early this month, where he claimed Davao City is the “most dangerous city in the Philippines,” according to Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag.
Al-ag, the proponent of the resolution, said in his speech that Trillanes’ remarks “is an insult to the 1.6 million Dabawenyos who are working hard everyday to make our city safe.
He also called out Trillanes who described Davao City residents as “brainwashed” by President Duterte for believing that this city is the safest city “not only the Philippines but in the world.”
The Vice Mayor said he totally understood Trillanes’ way of politics including his attacks against the then Mayor now President Rodrigo but emphasized that attacking and destroying his city and the people is “unacceptable.”
“We can totally understand that because you know he has political ambition but if he attacks Dabawenyos, if he destroys Davao City and makes accusations that are not true, it’s unacceptable,” Al-ag told reporters in an interview.
Hours later the resolution was passed, Trillanes in Manila said he continues to stand by his claim.
“It’s time to shatter the myth. Davao is the most dangerous city in the Philippines: No: 1 in Murder; No. 2 in Rape,” the senator said his Twitter account.
Trillanes was basing this on statistics from the Philippine National Police.
Meanwhile, the resolution on Lewis’ persona non grata declaration was filed by Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang.
Lewis was earlier linked by the President to the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe. Duterte said the businesswoman had a hand in the ICC’s decision to begin investigating him on his deadly campaign against drugs. (with reports from Mick Basa / davaotoday.com)
