The Davao Myth

In the middle of the debate and contest for the presidency, the City of Davao has been mentioned not just a hundred thousand times. It has been the centrepiece of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s agenda in his ambition towards Malacanang. The city has been depicted as a haven that must be emulated by the rest of the Philippines; if not the world. The rhetoric that supports the idea would make Sir Thomas More’s work sound like nursery rhymes.

But, is Davao really the utopian community every Filipino city and municipality should imitate? Is this city actually devoid of crime, poverty, and injustice? Should we allow the tough-talking mayor to take the reins of the national government?

First of all, let me tell you that Davao is not crime-free! Anyone who says otherwise is a liar. Even Duterte himself cannot categorically deny this. You see, Davao has two distinct set of rules. One set applies to Duterte, his family, and his rich friends. Everybody else needs to follow the other. If you are in the right network of friends, you can get away with practically anything. Yes, anything! Take the example of carnap syndicate leader Ryan Yu, alias “Baktin,” who is a friend of Paolo Duterte.  The Baktin syndicate was free to operate in and (mostly) out of Davao without hassle. Yu is now in jail awaiting trial. To make sure he doesn’t spill the beans, his brother Christopher was murdered in cold blood. Where? He was shot in front of his apartment; in Davao City! To this day, no one has been arrested for the crime. Baktin was not alone. Other characters control different syndicates that operate nationwide, but are stationed in the city. They do not fear the law. Duterte chooses who he eliminates. The New People's Army are free to conduct their taxation on the poor of Davao. The Ampatuans of Maguindanao and their bodyguards were frequent visitors of the city. Rodrigo Duterte dared not cross them!

This group of shadowy businessmen are now funding the well-oiled machine of the mayor’s campaign. Millions of pesos funnelled to run thousands of bogus social media accounts and hundreds of websites. The plague of troll accounts in Facebook and Twitter these days is a clear indication that the millions have been well-spent. Duterte critics are subjected to the shut-up-or-you’ll-get-hurt treatment from these thugs. Is this a sneak-peek of things to come should Duterte win?

This is the brand of justice Rodrigo Duterte is laying in front of you for consideration. His rule of law is a mere projection of a fictitious sense of peace. Yes my dear friends. Rodrigo Duterte is both a fraud and a coward! And, the Davao image is just a myth. A fugazi!