Palace allays bizmen’s concern over Duterte’s threat to “kill” the rich

January 26, 2020

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Sunday said businessmen and rich people have nothing to worry if they are not doing anything wrong following the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that they should be "killed."

In an interview over Radyo Inquirer, Panelo clarified that Duterte only wants to "kill" the desires of the rich to steal money from the taxpayers and the consumers.

“It does not literally mean he will kill them,” he said.

“And if you know that you are not doing anything bad to others, why will you be afraid on your safety. No one will harm you,” Panelo said.

He made the clarification after Duterte in his speech in Leyte said some wealthy people in the Philippines are "crazy" and should be killed.

Duterte cited the case of the "onerous" and "disadvantageous" contracts with the two water concessionares - the Ayala-owned Manila Water Company, Inc. and Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Maynilad Water Services, Inc. - forged during the previous administrations. Ella Dionisio/DMS