MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated that the country’s narcotics problem will only come to an end if all criminals are dead.
“Look at the other countries. They continue to keep a blind eye to the reality of the virulence of drug addiction. Negosyo (iyan). ‘Pag di mo patayin ‘yan, hindi talaga hihinto ‘yan,” said Duterte in a speech during an inauguration ceremony at Sangley Point, Cavite City on Saturday night.
The President once again lambasted human rights groups and countries who are criticizing his controversial “war on drugs.” as he once again lambasted human rights groups and countries who are criticizing his controversial “war on drugs,” saying that criminals will not stop with the drug trade until they were dead.
“‘Pag di mo talaga (patayin) itong mga hardcore na criminals . . . hindi ‘yan basta-basta makikinig. Hindi talaga hihinto ‘yan. Hihinto lang ‘yan pag patay na,” the Chief Executive added.
He took a swipe at human rights advocates for supposedly taking a soft stance on drug personalities.
“[Sabihin lang] ng drug lord, ‘F*** you,’” an incised Duterte said with expletive-peppered tirades.
Since Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016, thousands of drug personalities have been killed in anti-narcotics operations nationwide that drew criticisms from human rights advocates, local and international.
In 2019, the UN human rights body approved a resolution seeking a comprehensive report on Manila’s human rights situation, including extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s drug war./PN