Accuses Davao City mayor's supporters of cyberbullying

MANILA - Vice President Jejomar Binay has tagged the new presidential race frontrunner Rodrigo Duterte as a "pambansang berdugo (national executioner) and bully," as he lamented the actions of the Davao City mayor's supporters on social media.

“Hindi ka pa presidente Mister berdugong mamamatay tao pero alam na ng mga tao na kapag ikaw ay manalo - huwag naman sana - ay bawal na silang magsalita, bawal kumontra," Binay said.

In a statement on Monday, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard-bearer also accused Duterte's supporters of cyberbullying.

“Kapag sinabi nila ito, lalo na sa social media, hindi lang binabastos, tinatakot pa. Wala nang kalayaan magsabi ng kontra nilang opinyon sapagkat sila ay tinatakot, sinasabihan na gagahasain at papatayin,” Binay said.

Binay also claimed Duterte is instilling fear among the poor.

“Palagi mo na lang tinatakot ang mga mahihirap. Palagi mo na lang pinapatay ang mahihirap. Pinagyayabang mo na ipagpapatuloy mo ang pagpatay sa mahihirap at mga pinagsususpetsahan mo na lumabag sa batas kapag ikaw ay magiging pangulo. Hindi ako papayag sa maling ginagawa mo,” Binay said.

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Binay said the bullying has to stop and that people should be able to freely speak their mind.

“Hindi na natatakot ang mga tao sa pangbubully ng mga taga-suporta mo, lalo na online. Lalabanan namin ang masamang gawain mo,” Binay said.

NO MARTIAL LAW: CAYETANO

Earlier on Monday, Duterte's running mate, Alan Peter Cayetano said he and the presidential hopeful are dead set on reducing crime in the first six months of their term in case they win.

He, however, emphasized that an administration headed by Duterte would not impose martial law.

Cayetano said Duterte's critics magnify that many will die under the mayor's watch.

He, however, believes that people will die whoever gets elected as president, but "the people who will die under an administration who does nothing [are the] innocent people."

In Davao City, he said, ordinary people do not live in fear; only criminals do.

"Kay Duterte, simple lang: taas mo kamay mo, hindi ka lalaban, huli ka—pero tunay na kulungan, hindi hotel sa Muntinlupa. Pero lumaban ka, patay ka."