MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to keep going after illegal drugs in the Philippines until his last day in office.
“I have remaining mga three (years). I hope that I can put in place something,” he told a Filipino audience in Papua New Guinea, where he attended an APEC Leaders’ Meeting. Duterte’s term ends in 2022.
Duterte assured Filipino workers in Papua New Guinea that the administration already gained momentum in the campaigns against corruption and illegal drugs.
Several government officials and police officers accused of abuses or involvement in the drug trade have been fired, he stressed, but the problems continue.
“Do you know ang droga hindi mahinto? Because it’s money and it’s very hot,” he said in a speech Friday, pointing out that police officers themselves coddle drug suspects.
Previously the President said he wanted “the entire government machinery” to participate in the administration’s crackdown on drugs.
“I will issue a memorandum circular directing the entire government machinery to mobilize its assets and to take an active role in government’s anti-illegal drug campaign nationwide,” said Duterte.
He also wanted to create a task force on anti-illegal drugs composed of different law enforcement agencies.
“Moving forward to eradicate the illegal drug trade,” a “National Anti-illegal Drug Task Force” must be formed, Duterte said.
The task force will comprise personnel from the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine Coast Guard, among other agencies, he said. (PNA)
