Be ready for hollow blocks if you throw stones at Duterte, new spokesman says

Incoming presidential spokesperson Kabayan party-list Reresentative Harry Roque warned critics of President Rodrigo Duterte that he would not take their vilification campaign against the Chief Executive sitting down.

In an interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson on Sunday before leaving for Japan, Roque said that he would not remain quiet when critics vilify Duterte.

“So asahan n’yo po na hindi tayo papayag na lapastanganin ang Presidente natin na walang kasagutan,” Roque said.

He warned detractors that he was ready to counter with adobe bricks and hollow blocks if they would throw stones at the President.

“At binibigyan ko na po ng notice ang mga walang hiya diyan na naninira lamang. Kung dati-rati hindi kayo nababato, ngayon po maghanda na kayo, dahil kapag kayo ay nambato, hindi lang po bato ang itatapon ko sa inyo, hollow blocks,” Roque said.

“Abangan n’yo po ang mga adobe at hollow blocks na itatapon ko sainyo kaya itigil n’yo na ang pamamato,” he added.

Roque said he that he was ready for the criticisms and the kind of language that the detractors will use against the administration.

He even urged the critics to help the Duterte administration instead of crucifying it. 

“Kung gusto n’yo po, eh tumulong nalang po kayo sa bansa sa kadami-daming problema. So, warning po iyan. Hindi po ako mag-aatubili na mambato. In fact, hollow blocks at adobe and itatapon ko sa inyo,” Roque said.

The incoming spokesperson also had a message for Duterte’s critics who were part of the previous administration.

“Iyong sa mga nanggaling na sa kapangyarihan ay nagkaroon naman kayo ng pagkakataon. Ang ginawa n’yo naman—palpak kayo. Hindi kayo gumawa ng mabuti para sa bayan, nagteka-teka at tsaka-tsaka na,” Roque said.

“Meron ibang naglilingkod, hayaan natin. Bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon. Dahil kami naman, pinagbigyan namin kayo ng pagkakataon. Hindi naming kayo binato at hindi namin kayo siniraan,” he added.

Asked why he was chosen by Duterte to be his spokesperson, Roque replied: “Sabi ni Presidente, kinuha niya ako dahil ako’y isang abogado at kasing-anghang ang bibig ko kung ikukumpara sa kanya. Sabi niya, pareho kaming may malikot na dila.” —NB, GMA News