Duterte vows economic growth outside of 'dead' Philippine capital

DAVAO (May 26): Incoming Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte pledged Thursday to spread economic activity beyond the overpopulated capital of Manila, calling it a "dead" city overrun by shantytowns.

Duterte said he would create new jobs by setting up economic zones outside of Manila to spread the wealth beyond the sprawling metropolis of about 15 million people, and that he would not allow any more factories to be built in the capital.

"I have to create more jobs but Manila is already saturated," Duterte told reporters in the southern city of Davao, which he has ruled as mayor for most of the past two decades.

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