President Rodrigo Duterte will not stop the controversial and bloody “war on drugs” even if he is replaced and returns to civilian service.
He said this in a speech aired Monday night, two days before presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. could be proclaimed.
“Presidente ako o hindi, galit talaga ako sa inyo [drug pushers/users]. Kaya we can continue this fight even if I am already a civilian,” said Duterte.
“Mahirap itong shabu na ‘to, sabi ko sisirain ang bayan nito. They will make the Philippine society dysfunctional. Kaya sabi ko… I’d be happy to see you dead than alive kayong mga drug lords. Iyong basurero, the peddlers, ano na ‘yan.”
Duterte did not clarify how he would do it. Before becoming president, Duterte served as mayor of Davao City, where the vigilante group Davao Death Squad (DDS) has been notorious since the 1990s.
According to a Human Rights Watch report, the group is held responsible for the summary execution of alleged drug pushers, petty criminals, and street children in Davao City.
Duterte will continue ‘war on drugs’ even as civilian
In September 2021, the International Criminal Court approved a full investigation into “crimes against humanity” when it came to Duterte’s bloody anti-drug campaign when he took office, something that has already killed 6,241, according to the government. According to the court, some of those killed by police were 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos, even though he did not fight back.
“They should be able to kill the drug lords without mercy. Hayaan mo ‘yang human rights [groups] na ‘yan. Hindi makatulong sa bayan natin ‘yan,” he added.
“You know, itong human rights, they are — all they have to do — all that they can do really is posturing, hanggang diyan lang ‘yan sila. They cannot help the country.”
“So gusto kong dapat malaman ‘yan ng mga durugista. I will forever remain your enemy. Iyan ang tandaan ninyo.”
In the same speech, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that the largest amount of shabu seized by the authorities had reached P11-billion, something equivalent to 1.6 tons.
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