Sotto: Fight vs illegal drugs is country’s ‘biggest war’
MANILA, Philippines—The fight against illegal drugs is the “biggest war” the Philippines is now waging, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday as the country celebrates its 121st Independence Day.
“The nation must constantly be reminded that the biggest war we are waging is to free the nation and its families from the bondage of illegal drugs,” Sotto said in a tweet.
121st Philippine Independnce Day. The nation must constantly be reminded that the biggest war we are waging is to free the nation and its families from the bondage of illegal drugs. God bless the Filipino family.
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) June 12, 2019
Since assuming office in 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte has made the war on drugs the flagship program of his administration.
According to government data, more than 5,000 drug suspects have been killed for allegedly resisting arrests in anti-drug operations.
For her part, Senator Risa Hontiveros reminded Filipinos that “celebrating our freedom means not taking it for granted.”
“The civil liberties we enjoy today are hard-fought victories. The responsibility to protect these liberties, to strengthen our democratic institutions and to fulfill human rights for all rests on our generation today,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
According to the opposition senator, celebrating freedom means “making it work for all.”
“The fight for freedom rests on all of us Filipinos. The struggle for independence from any oppressor is won by collective struggle, not by the striving of anyone alone,” Hontiveros stressed.
Vice President Robredo earlier led the Independence Day rites at the Rizal Park with former President and outgoing Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
The President meanwhile, will mark lead Independence Day ceremonies at a military camp in Lanao Del Sur on Wednesday afternoon. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)
READ: Duterte urges Filipinos to work for ‘truly independent Philippines’
READ: De Lima: Filipinos yearning for freedom from injustice, poverty
