Duterte gets ready for war

DAVAO CITY — As the United States mounts its war posturing against Iraq, this city’s mayor is himself getting ready for war.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has laid down contingency measures should President George Bush give the green light for war against Iraq’s Saddam Hussein.

In fact, he has created a crisis management committee, led by Davao Light and Power Co. president Alfonso Aboitiz with representatives from both government and private sectors.

Duterte said an inventory of the city’s supply of oil, basic commodities and other food items is ongoing, and that should the situation worsen, they are mulling a food blockade, meaning "no food supply shall get out of Davao City."

"Everyone will be mobilized. We are asking for everybody’s cooperation on this," Duterte said, particularly referring to the business sector to avoid hoarding goods should the crisis become full-blown.

Duterte also pleaded with the city’s Muslim residents to refrain from initiating any violence in sympathy with Hussein.

"Take this with the deepest of understanding. Please don’t resort to violence just because Iraq is being pounded. Don’t ever do harm to other people here," he said.

He said he will hold dialogues not only with Muslim groups but with local rebel forces which might take advantage of the Iraq situation to further their causes through violent means.