The address to the nation last April 1 of President Rodrigo Duterte became controversial for his ‘shoot them dead’ statement after the riot that happened between ‘starving’ residents and the police in Quezon City.
This created a wave of anger and negative sentiments from both netizens and celebrities who have called for his ouster using the hashtag #OustDuterteNow on Twitter.
This soon trended worldwide.
During his lengthy speech, the President said: “Remember kayong mga Left: You are not the government. Naintindihan ninyo ‘yan? Hindi kayo nasa gobyerno and you cannot be a part of what we are planning to do for the nation. Intindihin ninyo ‘yan. Kaya huwag kayong maggawa ng kalokohan at mag-riot-riot diyan because I will order you detained at bibitawan ko kayo pagkatapos na wala na itong COVID,” referring to the leftists whom he believed sabotaged the distribution of relief goods by conducting street protests while Luzon is in total lockdown.
“My orders are sa pulis pati military, pati mga barangay, na pagka ginulo at nagkaroon ng okasyon na lumaban at ang buhay ninyo ay nalagay sa alanganin, shoot them dead,” he added.
“Naintindihan ninyo? Patay. E, kaysa ma-gulo kayo diyan, e, di ilibing ko na kayo. A, yung libing, akin ‘yan. Huwag ninyo subukan ang gobyerno kasi itong gobyerno na ito hindi inutil.”
Among the celebrities who expressed their dismay with the president’s threat-laden speech were Angelica Panganiban, Liza Soberano, Maris Racal, KC Concepcion, Nadine Lustre, Alessandra de Rossi, Chienna Filomeno, Gary Valenciano, Lauren Young, Agot Isidro, Jane Oineza, Kim Chiu, Sofia Andres, Bullet Dumas, and Khalil Ramos.
However, there were also celebrities who took his side and defended him from the ‘dim-witted’ citizens whom they claimed just open their mouths without even listening to the whole story.
Robin Padilla
On Facebook, “Bad Boy of Philippine cinema” Robin Padilla, a proud supporter of the Duterte Administration, aired his opinion by telling his followers that it is not the right time to compete and argue as to who is right and who is not.
He said, “This is the time to make something out of ourselves… we are at war ladies and gentlemen let us use our bodies and mouths including our resources to fight for the survival of Humanity.”
He also schooled those who have nothing to say but bad things about the government.
“Kung wala tayong sasabihin na totoo at hindi makakatulong sa laban mainam ay manahimik at tumulong na lang sa mga frontliners o sa mga malalapit ninyong kapitbahay na naghihirap at naghihikahos,” he continued.
“Magtiwala tayo sa Panginoong Maylikha dahil nasa kanya ang awa kumilos tayong lahat dahil nasa atin ang gawa nobody will do the battle for us in this war! all of us are in this war! all of us are soldiers,” he added.
He encouraged everyone to fight with the government, not fight against it.
“This is not the time for politicking and speeches destabilizing the GOVERNMENT now is clear treason. We cannot surrender the fight we fight together we will win! we fight among ourselves we lose….and we cannot be the author of our own extinction as Filipinos God forbid. God have mercy,” he ended.
https://www.facebook.com/ROBINPADILLA.OFFICIAL/posts/3348200075199810
Keanna Reeves
Former Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 1 batch winner Keanna Reeves also slammed Duterte’s detractors and suggested that they retake Grade 1 so as to understand what the president meant with his ‘shoot them dead’ statement.
On Facebook, she wrote, “Balik ka ng Grade1 baka masagot n’yo ng maayos at ng maintindihan n’yo, kungnaintindihan n’yo na pero galit ka parin kay Duterte e d paadmit kana sa Mandaluyong ASAP!!!”
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=548848552410663&id=100018565694319
Jimmy Bondoc
Duterte-appointed Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and singer Jimmy Bondoc also expressed his sentiments on his social media account.
On Facebook, the “Let Me Be The One” hitmaker pointed out that the President’s words were “twisted” as these were given a different meaning to manipulate the emotions and minds of the Filipinos.
“Hindi niyo pa rin napapansin how the President’s words are twisted, just to fool YOU? I dare you to read on,” he started.
“First, those manipulators tried to gain your trust. They did this by appealing to your emotions. They focused on the statement of DU30 that medical workers are considered lucky for dying for their country. They knew you would not watch the whole speech.
“Second, they started discrediting administrative order no 27. They made it appear that DU30 wants to monopolize all of the government’s resources, supposedly to create political gain for Bong Go. They knew you wouldn’t read the A.O.
“Their next predictable step is to use the increasing number of covid cases (though expected), and make it appear that this is proof that DU30 has stolen the funds meant for covid relief ops,” he continued.
Bondoc encouraged everyone to read before reacting so as not to misunderstand things.
“Trust me. Those heroes and gentle old ladies you consider heroines and philanthropists are lying to you. The proof is clear. They KNOW that you would not go out of your way to read the actual A.O. 27. So, what are you waiting for? Read it. Expose the lies of your bosses.
“I am telling you, from my heart, kidding aside, politics aside – YOU are the problem. Hindi niyo kasi inaaral.”
https://www.facebook.com/jimmybondoc2/posts/4034450486565887
Arnell Ignacio
Former Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) Deputy Director Arnell Ignacio couldn’t help but also air his dismay and anger to those who failed to understand the words stated by Duterte.
In his Facebook Live last April 2, Ignacio lectured the netizens crying to oust Duterte while the country is under a state of national emergency.
“Ang hirap tulungan ng Pilipino. Grabe!” he said and reminded everyone that despite of all the condemnation that President Duterte receives from his people, he still does his job as he loves the Filipino nation.
“It’s incredible that something so basic, so elementary needs to be explained to you,” he sarcastically remarked.
“Oo, talaga lang, kasi iba ang pinanggalingan niyo?
“It’s either that o mga summa cum laude kayo sa kabobohan.”
https://www.facebook.com/100009360538221/videos/2606134216375237/
Director Manny Castaneda
Actor and director Manny Castaneda described the current status of the country as “disgusting” as the leftists use the situation to destabilize the government and further damaged its already ruined image amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Exploiting the current health crisis to destabilize the govt and further advance their obsolete ideology is totally disgusting. Karma is digital,” he posted.
https://www.facebook.com/manny.castaneda1/posts/10159493971092388
Janica Nam
Model Janica Nam also reminded the public to watch the whole coverage of President Duterte’s speech to be able to understand what he truly wants to happen and to avoid misjudgment and misunderstandings.
On Twitter, she posted, “Please watch the full interview of President Duterte. Baka kaya ganun nalang galit ng ibang tao kasi hndi nila napanood and inintindi.”
Please watch the full interview of President Duterte. Baka kaya ganun nalang galit ng ibang tao kasi hndi nila napanood and inintndi.
— nam ☾ (@thisisjanicanam) April 2, 2020
In another post, Nam said, “Our country needs Unity hindi yung puro reklamo.”
Our country needs Unity hindi yung puro reklamo.
— nam ☾ (@thisisjanicanam) April 2, 2020
Nathalie Hart
Kapamilya actress Nathalie Hart also expressed her support for President Duterte through her Instagram Stories.
