Shoot me, I am not joking, Duterte tells army
The radical Philippine president strongly denies rumours of trying to change the constitution to extend his stay in power
Manila — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday instructed the army and police to shoot him if he became a dictator and stayed on beyond his term, a scenario his foes are warning against, amid moves by his loyalists to change the constitution. The firebrand leader sought to dispel speculation that he had ordered loyalists in Congress to change the constitution to introduce a federal system that would let him stay in power beyond 2022, when his single term ends. "If I overstay and wanted to become a dictator, shoot me, I am not joking," Duterte told soldiers during an army base visit, adding that security forces should not allow anybody to mess with the constitution. "It is your job to protect the constitution and to protect the people. Remember, it is your solemn duty." Duterte has advocated federalism to tackle inequality, empower provinces and recognise the country’s diverse makeup. Last week, his lower house allies voted to convene a constituent assembly to revise the cha...
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