Foul visitors to see rude Rody

The Chief Executive asserted that he will immediately crack the whip for violators of Philippine laws.

In a way, President Rodrigo Duterte warned late Wednesday foreigners who stay long-term in the country not to abuse Filipino hospitality, saying he is ready to be a rude host to offensive visitors.

The Philippines will always welcome foreign investors and tourists, but Mr. Duterte said he would not think twice of becoming nasty if they even think of doing anything illegal while in the country.

According to him, although he recognizes the boost the economy gets from foreign businesses that set up operations in the country and provide job opportunities to Filipinos and with tourism booming as a result of international arrivals, the Chief Executive asserted that he will immediately crack the whip for violators of Philippine laws.

Mr. Duterte particularly addressed those from mainland China who invest in the country, as well as those who come in to work in Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO).

“Go ahead. Make money. Make your profit. Pay the right taxes. Pay the laborers the right salaries, and then I will assure you that your return of investment, your ROI, you can get it anytime you want. That is the long and short of my guarantee,” he said in his speech at an event in Parañaque.

“However, while I recognize the potential of these projects to help the Philippines withstand future challenges in the global (economic) setting, I nonetheless stress that your buildings should never serve as a haven for undocumented foreign workers or for the manufacture of and trafficking of illegal drugs,” he added.

His warning, the President noted, is in line with his administration’s “unrelenting commitment toward the eradication of corruption and illegal drugs in this country.”

While he did not specifically mention past crime incidents involving Chinese POGO workers, Mr. Duterte said he is concerned with crimes being committed against foreigners such as kidnapping and extortion.

“I will not particularize, but there are foreigners who come here to ply their trade, lending money, and if the debtor cannot pay, they kidnap and sometimes they ask for ransom. And even with the delivery of the money for ransom, they just go ahead and kill the victim,” stated the Chief Executive.

He further said that while the Philippines is “good friends with everybody,” there is a line that foreigners must not cross and that he expects them to “behave.”

“You know, we’re good friends with everybody. But I will not hesitate even to tell your ambassador I killed your idiot citizen because he was f***ing in my country. I told you not. Especially kidnap for ransom and those who kidnap and kill even if the money has already been delivered. To me you are just also another carcass,” he said.