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President Rodrigo duterte He suddenly kissed the ground in Jolo, Sulu, where the deadly twin explosions took place, an action that raised eyebrows in line.
In photos shared by neophyte Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, also a former presidential aide, Duterte was seen twice kissing the ground where the explosions occurred on Monday, August 31.
Officials stated that Duterte had already been staying in his hometown of Davao prior to this incident.
Last week, twin blasts struck the southern province, claiming at least 15 lives and dozens more injured.
In his post, Go indicated that he and Duterte, along with other officials, arrived in Jolo on Sunday, August 30. They immediately went to the scene and offered prayers and flowers to the victims of the explosions.
Lieutenant colonel Rolando Mateo, a spokesperson for the Sulu Joint Task Force, mentioned that the site of his visit was at Serrantes Street or the “ground zero” of explosions.
Mateo said he stayed there for a few minutes to pray and offer flowers.
Duterte also reportedly went camping with General Teodulo Bautista at Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo, where he delivered a talk to soldiers and other city mayors, including the governor of Sulu. Abdusakur Tan, for more than an hour.
He then went to the Kuta Heneral Bautista hospital to deliver medals to the wounded personnel to the 15 soldiers who survived the blasts.
He also presented medals to the families of three Tausug soldiers who were among the fatalities, one of whom was a police commando.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque He previously told reporters that Duterte was expected to return to Manila that night.
Drama or respect?
While Duterte’s purpose of kissing Jolo’s floor or its meaning remains uncertain, he caused a stir among his supporters and critics after photos of such action erupted on social media.
Secretary of Foreign Relations Teddy Locsin Jr. expressed admiration for Duterte’s “love” for the Philippines.
“He loves every square meter of Filipino soil with physical passion. She loves her heroes as we saw her cry as she ran her hand over her Balangiga etched words. It will never give up a square inch of Philippine territory by right, by law, by historical claim and sentiment, ”Locsin said.
He loves with physical passion every square meter of Filipino soil. He loves his heroes as we saw him cry as he ran his hand over his Balangiga etched words. It will never give up a square inch of Philippine territory for right, for law, for historical claim and sentiment. https://t.co/mOiHh9xOT9
– Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 31, 2020
Speaker of the Chamber Alan Peter Cayetano described him as a “grieving father”.
“This is why the Filipino people love President Duterte. And why his critics will never understand. Wherever they see a politician, the entire nation sees a grieving father. Maraming Salamat, Mr. President, for showing us true leadership at this time of crisis, “he said.
That is why the Filipino people love President Duterte. And why his critics will never understand. Where do they see a …
Posted by Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020
Meanwhile, its critics perceived it as a mere theater to win the sympathy of the public. Some people expressed their anger in the form of memes.
Philippines scam card
The whole country doesn’t care about the Philippines
Others asked about the message the government hoped to convey with these photos.
“The bar is so low. Anyone can kiss the ground. I slept in the ditch ”, Twitter user @ronaldgem said.
“What is he kissing? the ground where the soldiers died? the ground where the citizens died? the ground where the suicide bomber was? or your cell phone? “other user said.
Some Filipinos also question whether it was Duterte who kissed the ground or a cover-up.
There are people circulating in the chats that Diggy is not Jolo’s because the right ear looks different 🤔
– 👑Corona BEERus👑 (@noelledeg) August 31, 2020
Meanwhile, one Twitter user emphasized that the government should have used its intelligence funds to investigate the tragic event rather than bragging.
“I’m tired of Duterte’s tactics, kissing the ground where the bombing occurred. There is a budget sum for intelligence funds, use it to investigate and not to rely on rumors. Your populist rhetoric and argumentum ad misericordiam no longer work ”, said the user. said.
Fast bombing
On August 24, military officials reported that two bombs suddenly exploded an hour apart in a supermarket in the town of Jolo.
Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for it, the authorities suspected that they were executed by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
Eight members of the state forces and six civilians were reportedly killed. Meanwhile, 27 members of the security personnel and 48 civilians were injured.
On August 26, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lieutenant General. Cirilito Sobejana They said they suspected two women behind the attacks: a widow of a Filipino suicide bomber and the wife of an Abu Sayyaf leader.
Roque said that Duterte planned to put Sulu under martial law.
However, some lawmakers immediately rejected the idea, arguing that the recent passage of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act 2020.
Sobejana also later abandoned the martial law proposal.
“I always respect the wisdom of our national leadership and the sentiment of the general public,” he said.
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