Estrada backs Duterte’s shame campaign

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada (AP FILE PHOTO)

DESPITE criticism from various sectors, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada sees nothing wrong with President Rodrigo Duterte’s public shaming of local government officials reportedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Estrada, a former President, said on Saturday when asked to react to Duterte’s naming of more than 20 other government officials linked to illegal drug activities.

According to Estrada, if Duterte does not “go after and shame” these elected officials whom he believes are involved in drugs, “pretty soon we’ll have top government officials, even senators, who are in cahoots with drug syndicates.”

‘Kill them if they resist’

Asked if he supports Duterte’s “shoot-on-sight” order against drug traffickers, Estrada said: “Whenever possible. Let them resist so they can be killed. So that we can finish them off (Hangga’t maari sana. Lumaban na sila para mapatay na sila. Para matapos na silang lahat).”

He added that it was also important for children to be aware of the dangers posed by drugs.