PNP mum on Duterte’s joke on using marijuana

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has refused to comment on President Rodrigo Duterte’s joke that he used marijuana to keep him awake amid his busy schedule.

When sought for comment, PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said that the President already clarified it was only a joke.

READ: Duterte admits using marijuana to keep him awake

“Bakit po tayo magcocomment sa mga sinabi ng Presidente na iyon [since] it was just a joke?” he told reporters on Tuesday.

(Why will we comment on the statement of the President since it was just a joke?)

“I think there is no need for the Philippine National Police to comment any further sa joke ni Presidente. Masanay na po tayo sa Presidente sa ganoon (Let us be used of him being like that),” he said.

Pressed for comment on how the joke might affect the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, Durana only reiterated his answer.

“Sabi ko nga (Like what I said) it was a joke, so I think there is no need for us to comment any further or to speculate on the speculations of others,” he said.

On Monday, Duterte admitted taking marijuana, citing his hectic schedule during the 33rd Asean Summit in Singapore. He later told reporters it was only a joke.

During the second day of the summit, Duterte skipped several meetings apparently to take “power naps” to catch up on sleep. /je