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UPDATE: Since the brutal killing of a 17-year old student (Kian delos Santos) who pleaded for his life so he could catch his exam, together with the senseless genocide of 20,000 Filipinos in Duterte's misguided crusade against drugs, I have since renounced and withdrew my support from him.
Jan 21, 2013
Davao City's Peace and Order
Modern-Day Robin Hood
Now that I've spent a month in Davao, hearing stories from here and there, I begin to see a broader picture of the city - more specifically, about the legacy of its controversial former mayor, Rodrigo Duterte. A few years ago, people would hesitate to say something unfavorable about him - I sensed fear in them. Now, there is a big difference. After benefitting from the sustained peace and order, discipline and stability of the city, I now feel a genuine love the people have for him. I've heard people refer to him as a people's man - the way he spent the holidays with the people from Smokey Mountain, the way he talks one-on-one to his constituents on his regular Sunday show, the time he disguised himself as a cabbie, just to get the feel of things from street level. People relate to him as their Robin Hood. In him, they find a strong man they can entrust their safety and well being. Someone who can deliver swift justice...almost on-demand.
Rule of Law
To be honest, I was initially conflicted about this - the rule of law wasn't there. But no one can argue against the ensuing peace and order. I myself would walk the streets of Davao, even pass through a dark alley with a group of drunk guys, and there is no fear. I know the streets are safe. Of course, there is still crime (what big city is without it anyway?), but on a per capita basis, the crime rate is very low compared to other cities of its size and population base. Moreover, and I cannot stress this any stronger, is that the people have faith and confidence in the system. If they have an emergency, they don't hesitate to dial 911 or call the police. Response is quick and efficient.
Sweeping it Under the Rug
In Manila, people victimized by crime would rarely go to the police. The police is not someone you can trust there (exceptions, of course) - they are viewed just as bad as the bad guys. From my immediate circle of friends, I hear crime stories of rape, attempted rape, muggings, break-ins, etc. You don't read this in the news, but they happen. As one executive from GMA News and Public Affairs once intimated to me, the rampant crime in taxis are so alarming they don't broadcast it anymore. Friends of friends have died over a cell phone, been comatosed and died over a laptop mugging...and no one goes to jail. Sure, there is the veiled rule-of-law, but where is justice? The victims sweep the crime from underneath the rug and pretend it never happened - but the feeling of being violated remains...and perhaps ferments. I'm only talking about my immediate social circle. But my social circle is no different from anybody else's. Across the board, the stats are indeed alarming. While the victims remain silent, I'll say my piece.
Lee Kwan Yew Parellelism
Back in the day, I've always maintained that the Philippines needs a Lee Kwan Yew...a benevolent strong man who will flex his muscle to uphold the safety and well-being of his nation. I've even cited the parallelism between Lee and Marcos - both regarded as strong men of Asia, both with a political will, both a genius in his own right. But one plundered the national treasury while the other became a social benefactor to a nation. Fast-forward to the here-and-now, and anyone can see the leaps and bounds Singapore has achieved in the global arena while we export our bright and educated to be domestic helpers or nannies in some far-off land away from their families. I digress. But my point is that strong leadership whose heart is in the right place, matters.
Ending Thoughts
This is a controversial piece. I'll get flak for this. Am I advocating vigilantism? No. I simply want justice served - justice under the rule of law, or street justice if need be. The law's failure to provide justice does more harm to society than the crime itself. Let the safe streets of Davao serve as metaphor for justice served. The policy is far from perfect. Admittedly, there have been colateral damage. I offer my apologies to those whose sensitivities I've infringed on.
--- TheLoneRider
ps - If you want me to objectively cover the features of your city or municipality or barangay for this website (fiesta, waterfall, mountain trail, lake, river, cave, food, islands, beach, etc.), email me.
 Davao City, Philippines
 tourist attractions
 - hotel
 Bahay ni Tuding - central Poblacion location, wifi, hands-on owner
160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites - central location, new management, newly renovated
Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines
(+63) 932-8708621 | 906-3185885 | 7°04'34.2"N 125°36'54.2"E The Apo View Hotel - Davao's iconic hotel, old world charm, casino
150 J. Camus Street, Davao City Philippines 8000
+63 (82) 221-6430 to 40 | 7°04'09.2"N 125°36'27.4"E North Zen Basic Spaces - great rooms at affordable prices
Sobrecarey St. (corner Lapu-Lapu St.), Davao City, 8000
(082) 295.3997 | 7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"E Urban Living Zen Hotel - newly opened - all NEW!
F.s. Dizon Bacaca, 8000 Davao City
(082) 287 3133 | 7°05'28.4"N 125°36'22.3"E The Royal Mandaya Hotel - heart of downtown Davao City
J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City, 8000
(+63 82) 225.8888 | 7°04'09.4"N 125°36'36.8"E Alu Hotel Davao - central downtown location
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Davao
+63 82 227 5232 | 7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"E One Oasis Davao - hotel accommodation in a condo unit
Eco-west Drive, Ecoland, Davao City
suki_tac@yahoo.com | 0925.500.3211 | 7°02'49.2"N 125°35'19.1"E
 van rental
 Apollo Van Rental - Davao City tour, Samal Island tour, airport transfer
0925.500.3211 | suki_tac@yahoo.com
 yoga | health | fitness
 tour
 resto |  cafe
 advocacy
- one of the cleanest potable water in the country
- smoking is banned from commercial establishments
- pineapple samurais are endemic here and nowhere else in the country (pineapple vendors who cut-up whole pineapples into chunks with just a few strokes of their carving knives)
- public utility drivers conspicuously display their IDs
- durian Mecca of the Philippines (not to mention Marang, Mangosteen and Sweet Pomelo)
- you want to add some more? please submit on the form below
- the weighing scale of fruit vendors specially the durian push cart vendors are a blatant cheat - showing almost twice the actual weight
- Revisiting Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- A Roof Over my Head in Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- Davao Yoga Scene Oct 31, 2016
- Pranayama Oct 24, 2016
- Yoga Beyond the Mat Oct 21, 2016
- Grilled Tuna Overload in Davao Oct 13, 2016
- Duterte Mania in Davao Oct 12, 2016
- Sirsasana, Sarvangasana - Yoga Makaranda II Oct 7, 2016
- Tirumalai Krishnamacharya Oct 5, 2016
- Ashtanga Yoga with James Fritz Freire at Holiday Gym and Spa Oct 1, 2016
- There was a Bomb Explosion? Sep 30, 2016
- Jin in Davao Sep 29, 2016
- Scrubs and Hilot at Holiday Gym and Spa Sep 22-29, 2016
- The Fabulous Dabawenyos Aug 22-Sep 26, 2016
- Nirvana Breathing Fitness with Lita C. Quisumbing Sep 21, 2016
- Massage, Sauna and Ear Candling at Holiday Spa and Gym Sep 17-19, 2016
- Downpour in Davao Sep 18, 2016
- Lounge One Yoga Sequence by May Bel Le at North Zen Hotel Sep 16, 2016
- Celebrating Davao's King of Fruits - Durian! Sep 11, 2016
- The Blast that Rocked Davao Sep 2, 2016
- Hatha Flow Yoga with Joanna Lizares Co at Holiday Spa and Gym Aug. 31, 2016
- Conducting a Power Yoga Class at Yoga Davao Aug 29, 2016
- Good Eats with Mel Pangan's Davao Food Tour Aug 26, 2016
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Aug 25, 2016
- A Gifted Dell Laptop from the Usual Suspect Aug. 24, 2016
- The Duterte Phenomenon Oct 21, 2015
- 20 Days in Davao City July 4- 24, 2014
- Goodbye Davao...Again! Sep 28, 2013
- Wine and Cheese at Malagos Farm House Sep 27, 2013
- Custom-made Peanut Butter at Davao City's Bankerohan Market Sep 27, 2013
- Yoga in Davao Sep 26, 2013
- Celebrating 25 Years of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Sep 18, 2013
- Clobbered in a Vicious Karate Match Sep 17, 2013
- Back Into the Black Sep 1, 2013
- No Reply Aug 30, 2013
- Full Body-Cavity Search without the Latex Aug 25, 2013
- Fun Day with Crocodile Sonny and Sports Unlimited Dynamic Duo, Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson Aug 15, 2013
- Fun! Fun! at Maxima AquaFun, Samal Island Aug 11, 2013
- Goodbye Davao Jan 22, 2013
- Davao City's Peace and Order Jan 21, 2013
- Holiday Spa Yoga, Davao City Jan 20, 2013
- Free Yoga at People's Park Jan 12, 2013
- Davao City: Family Ties Dec 15-22, 2012
- Breakup Diaries: Chance Encounter in Davao City Dec 19, 2012
- Davao City June 20-23, 2009
- Davao City March 18-20, 2008
- Mount Apo March 15-18, 2008
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Jan 21, 2013
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