"Dirty Harry" Rejects Plans To Hold RP-US Anti-Terror Warfare In Davao

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo by CPJ.Org)

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 1 June) – A Southern Philippine mayor on Friday rejected government proposal for U.S. and Filipino troops to hold joint anti-terror training in the port city of Davao.

Rodrigo Duterte, the city’s mayor, said the training would put Davao on the list of possible terrorist target and warned that any attempt to pursue the plan could attract more attacks from anti-American militants and communist insurgents.

Duterte said he would not allow Davao City as venue of any war games between Filipino and American soldiers. He said a senior government official phoned him about the proposal to bring the training to Davao City.

"If troubles erupt, I will wash my hands," Duterte, known as the “Dirty Harry” of the Philippines, said.

Dirty Harry is a 1971 film directed by Don Siegel. Clint Eastwood played the title role, in his first outing as San Francisco Police Department Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan.

Callahan's nickname, "Dirty Harry," is a reference to his reputation for taking on the "dirtiest" cases and resolving them even if it involves the violation of criminals' rights.

"The mere presence of U.S. soldiers is like a magnet for terrorists,” Duterte said. (Romy Bwaga)