MANILA, Philippines – If you ever see the country’s most powerful leader carrying a gun, don’t be afraid. There are no serious threats against President Rodrigo Duterte. Like other government officials, the chief executive just wants to be extra cautious, thus he now wields a weapon.
This is according to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who told reporters on Monday, July 3, that since he was Davao mayor, Duterte had been collecting guns and that his cache of weapons was more than the DND’s chief’s collection.
“It’s just a precaution at saka si Presidente kasi he loves guns. Marami nga siyang koleksyon eh. Mas marami nga siyang koleksyon sa akin eh,” the DND chief said during a press briefing at the Palace.
“It’s just normal for him. So ‘yong abnormal sa kaniya ‘yong wala siyang baril no’ng pumasok siyang Presidente [So what’s abnormal for him was when he didn’t carry a gun when he became President].”