Duterte warns gov’t officials to stay away from illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has issued a stern warning to all government officials — from the Vice President down to barangay officials — to stay away from the illegal drug trade.

Speaking at the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan’s “miting de avance” in Pasig City on Saturday night, the President vowed to go after government officials who are involved in the narcotics trade.

Even friends

“I’m warning everybody — everybody. Vice President down to the barangay captain. Even friends and enemies. Do not get involved in drugs. I will really finish you off, and that includes Pasig,” he said.

He also repeated his threat to local officials that he would be the one to stop their illegal activities in the narcotics trade, if they don’t do it themselves.

“If you’re the mayor, you should stop it, or I will stop you so I can move on to looking for someone else. It’s true. That’s why I told the mayors when I went there, please do not do it,” the President said.

He added: “Do not make yourself as the final solution. If there’s no one else and people are giving us a hard time — the human rights [advocates] — we will really finish this off.”

The President made the remarks as he made a last-minute pitch for his chosen senatorial candidates, who will battle it out on Election Day.

He is known for his bloody war against drugs which has claimed thousands of lives.

On Saturday, the President promised political families who will make it their crusade to combat illegal drugs that he will give them his full support.

“This is what is difficult with old families. But be careful about drugs. I do not want to attribute it to any political candidate now. But I said, this I can promise you, you have my full backing,” the President said.