Davao City – Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte will try to end decades-old insurgencies by handing more power to the regions, creating a US-style federation of states to replace the nation’s strong central rule. The main rebel forces – communists and Islamist groups – back Mr. Duterte’s plan and say they would bury their arms if they can manage their own political and economic affairs. But many fear the far-flung Philippine archipelago needs its strong central rule to avoid dissolving into a hodgepodge of fiefdoms led by local clans. “We are already divided into islands, dialects, history, and culture,” said Sen. Francis Escudero, one of many lawmakers skeptical of the plan. TERRORIST HUNTING — Amid all the hype for today’s grand thanksgiving celebration of President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte in Davao City, police spend the eve of the event patrolling the streets of the city for these men whose pictures appear on [...]
