President Rodrigo Duterte said he will continue the “war” against illegal drugs even after he steps down from office on June 30.
Duterte, speaking during the commissioning of the Barko ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas Melchora Aquino, the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) Multi-Role Response Vessel 9702, however did not disclose how he’ll continue doing so.
“I will continue to operate. Those who want to do drugs, we’re talking about lives here. Either you kill me or I will kill you. Simple as that,” Duterte, quoted in a GMA News report said. I will not allow illegal drugs. Even as a former President, I will not let drugs run the society and destroy the lives of our children. I will kill you. I don’t care,” he said.
Duterte also said he is not bothered by the criticisms thrown at him due to the alleged extrajudicial killings under his administration, GMA News reported.
(The responsibility is mine alone. Just do your job),” he added, urging law enforcers not to be afraid of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
An ICC probe investigations stemmed from the complaint of the families of those killed in the drug war and human rights advocates. The probe however was deferred in November 2021 upon the request of the Philippine government.
More 6,000 drug suspects have been killed during the police’s anti-drug operations since Duterte assumed office on June 30, 2016, records said.
Several human rights groups however insist that the actual number could be between 12,000 to 30,000.
Duterte also urged his daughter, Vice President-elect “Inday” Sara Duterte, to ensure the continuation of anti-illegal drugs programs in schools.
This, after Sara announced last month that she has accepted the offer to become Education secretary under the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Inday Sara earlier said she wants to improve the welfare and quality of education in the country during her six-year term.
She previously expressed her interest to lead the Department of National Defense but eventually gave it up to avoid any possible “intrigue” that could break the team between her and Marcos Jr.
Duterte explained that the youth are among the most vulnerable and the most affected by illegal drug use.
“You deal with a lot of kids in the Department of Education. Do not ever allow contamination there. If you have to do it, do it,” he said.
He added that he took it upon himself to launch his administration’s aggressive crackdown on illegal drugs because “nobody would do it for us.”
Duterte warned anew of dangers in the use and sale of illegal narcotics, noting that this will destroy the country and will lead to “dysfunctional” families.
He also appealed to the police and military to sustain the momentum in the government’s fight against illegal drugs.
“I would like to appeal to everybody that drugs, especially the military and the police and the Coast Guard who are here, never give up the fight against drugs. Drugs will kill the Philippines,” he said.
He also vowed to continue waging his war against drugs as a civilian and protect law enforcement officers facing charges for killing drugs suspects under self-defense.