菲律宾新总统杜特尔特宣誓就职

AS IT IS 2016-07-02 Rodrigo Duterte Takes Office in the Philippines 菲律宾新总统杜特尔特宣誓就职

The new president of the Philippines has promised to be “relentless¹” in the fight against crime.

Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in Thursday. He won the office on his promise to defeat crime and corruption² within six months.

Duterte is known for carrying out strong policies to crush crime as mayor of Davao, the country’s second largest city.

During his swearing-in speech in Manila, the leader defended his methods for cutting crime.

“I know that there are some who do not approve…,” he said. “Let me say that I have seen how corruption works. I have seen how illegal drugs ruin individuals and relationships…I have seen how corruption bled government funds.”

He also said that as a lawyer, he knows “the limits of the powers” of the president. “You mind your work and I will mind mine. I know what is legal and what is not,” he said.

Duterte’s critics accuse him of ordering extreme punishment of criminals, including unlawful killings⁴. Human Rights Watch says he used death squads⁶ to kill more than 1,000 people.

The accusations⁷ were investigated in 2009, but the case never went to trial. Many people in Davao say they forgive Duterte for any death squad⁵ activity because the city is safer.

Duterte appealed to voters who consider crime, government corruption and poverty as major problems. Many Filipinos also liked his outspoken⁸ style during the campaign. He sometimes used offensive language, made threats and told crude jokes.

The spokesman for the city of Davao, Leo Villareal, said Duterte was successful in reducing crime because he was unpredictable. He said no one could stop Duterte as a result.

The new president said he would be “relentless” during his “sustained” fight against corruption, criminality and illegal drugs. But he also said these problems are only signs of a disease affecting all of Philippine society.

Duterte demanded openness and honesty in government and equality for people for both wealthy and poor people.

Some political observers have raised concerns that the president’s main goal of fighting crime and corruption could slow the country’s economy. The Philippines saw continued economic growth under former president Benigno Aquino.

Duterte is the first president to come from the country's south, where a Muslim rebellion has continued for years.

Harvey Gamas teaches at Ateneo de Davao University. He said the president’s roots might help him deal with the separatist problem.

Duterte met with two rebel groups in mid-June to propose a federal system of government to give Muslims more self-rule.

Another issue Duterte is expected to deal with is the Philippines’ relationship with China. The two countries have been in dispute since 2012 about territorial⁹ rights in the South China Sea.

Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also claim territory in the area. In recent years, Chinese crews have built islands in the sea, complete with airfields¹⁰.

China's official news agency Xinhua reported Thursday that President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to Duterte. He said he was "willing to work with Duterte to push for improvement of relations between the two countries.”

Words in This Story

relentless – adj. to continue without becoming weaker

death squad – n. a group of people given the task of killing³ others, usually with the indirect approval of government

crude – adj. rude, especially language of a sexual nature

sustained – adj. continuing for an extended period of time

1 relentless   

adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的

参考例句：

• The traffic noise is relentless.交通车辆的噪音一刻也不停止。
• Their training has to be relentless.他们的训练必须是无情的。

2 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

3 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

4 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

5 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

6 squads   

n.（军队中的）班( squad的名词复数 )；（暗杀）小组；体育运动的运动（代表）队；（对付某类犯罪活动的）警察队伍

参考例句：

• Anti-riot squads were called out to deal with the situation. 防暴队奉命出动以对付这一局势。 来自辞典例句
• Three squads constitute a platoon. 三个班组成一个排。 来自辞典例句

7 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

8 outspoken   

adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的

参考例句：

• He was outspoken in his criticism.他在批评中直言不讳。
• She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city.她是这座城市里学校制度的坦率的批评者。

9 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

10 airfields   

n.（较小的无建筑的）飞机场( airfield的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• For several days traffic fromthe Naples airfields was partially interrupted. 那不勒斯机场的对外交通部分地停顿了数天。 来自辞典例句
• We have achieved a great amount of destruction at airfields and air bases. 我们已把机场和空军基地大加破坏。 来自辞典例句