Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has directed citizens to shoot, but not kill, any public officials they witness taking bribes, promising them immunity from prosecution, provided the corrupt bureaucrat survives.
In a speech made during his visit to a province on the Philippine island, the president suggested shooting corrupt officials in the foot to avoid a prison sentence and offered to defend such action.
He said:
“If you pay a tax, a fee or get a certificate, and the officials ask for a bribe, hit them. If you have weapons, you can shoot them, but don’t kill, because during the proceedings you may not receive a pardon.”
According to RT, the presidential ‘order’ also called on Filipinos to beat up corrupt officials they encounter, despite the likely disastrous consequences for law and order.
“If you pay a tax, a fee or get a certificate, and the officials ask for a bribe, hit them. If you have weapons, you can shoot them, but don’t kill, because during the proceedings you may not receive a pardon,” the outspoken leader said.
He added that those who take him up on the offer “will not be sent to prison, but will only be seriously punished physically.”
