Duterte threatens military takeover of Metro Manila water services

President Rodrigo Duterte has floated the possibility of enlisting military men to run the operations of water services in Metro Manila as he continued to slam the concession agreements entered into by the government.

Speaking at the birthday celebration of former Senate President Manny Villar in Las Piñas City on Thursday, Duterte said he broached the idea of a military takeover before a gathering of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) on Wednesday.

“Last night I was talking to the PSG, sinabi ko sa kanila huwag mo akong laruan na takot takutin ninyo ako, sige magsibat kami, bahala wala kayong tubig,” said Duterte, who threatened on Tuesday to “expropriate everything” from Maynilad and Manila Water if he is not satisfied with their explanation of the concession agreements.

“I will order the Armed Forces to operate. Sige sundalo, take over kayo.”

He also warned of a warrantless arrest of people he accused of committing economic sabotage due to the supposed onerous provisions in the concession agreements.

“‘Pag niloko mo ako, niloko mo [ang] Pilipino. I will suspend the [privilege of the] writ of habeas corprus and I will arrest all of you. Gusto ko makita ang mga bilyonaryo na nakakulong,” Duterte said.

“Where’s the big fish? O ito buwaya na itong p—inang ‘to dalawa [Maynilad and Manila Water].”

Duterte also told Maynilad and Manila Water to talk to Administrator Emmanuel Salamat of industry regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

“Talk to General Salamat. Mag-usap kayo diyan. Ako? I will just prepare the charges. ‘Pag hindi tayo nagkaintindihan dito, economic plunder,” he said.

Maynilad and Manila Water each wrote a formal letter to Duterte on Tuesday making an offer to renegotiate the provisions that prohibit any government interference in rate-setting and provide an indemnity clause in case of such interference.

Manila Water also said in the letter that it would no longer pursue its claims worth P7.39 billion against the government and that it would defer the implementation of their rate increase.

A day after making those commitments, the two water companies warned that water rates may increase by over 100% after the MWSS revoked the extension of its concession agreements up to 2037.

The Palace rebuffed such warning on Friday.

“These concessionaires can do their worst and continue with fleecing the consumers while the President will do his best in serving and protecting the interest of the people,” Duterte's spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. — MDM, GMA News