President Rodrigo Duterte. (File photo from PCOO Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — Even at the tail end of his term, President Rodrigo Duterte offers no apologies for his highly criticized drug war.
“We continue to suffer from the drug problem. Hindi ito matatapos kasi sabi ko yung the lure of billions ang nakukuha ng mga negosyante nito, mga trafficking, the drug lords,” he said during his Talk to the People aired on Thursday.
(We continue to suffer from the drug problem. This will not end due to the lure of billions that businessmen, traffickers and drug lords get.)
“Noon nga, sabi ko milyun-milyon, ngayon bilyun-bilyon na…It has to be a war. Hindi ito sabihin mo na special operation ng police o military. It cannot be because this thing is a very sinister and verolent activity that would affect the life of the nation. Mahirap ito,” he added.
(Before, I said the market is worth millions, now it’s billions…It has to be a war. This is not a special operation of the police or the military. It cannot be because this thing is a very sinister and virulent activity that would affect the life of the nation. This is hard.)
“I would say and I would insist [until the] tail end [ng] administration ko na tama talaga ang ginawa ko. Hindi ako aatras [That what I did was right. I will not back down]. No apologies. Basta ang akin, tama yung ginawa ko [For me, what I did was right],” Duterte went on.
The drug war, which Duterte launched when he assumed power in 2016, has been highly criticized both domestically and globally.
Last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber allowed the Office of the Prosecutor to do a full-blown investigation into the crimes against humanity cases filed against Duterte in connection with drug war killings.
Duterte had earlier said he would be ready to face charges against him — including those filed against him before the ICC—once he steps down from power.
Duterte call
Meanwhile, Duterte called on local officials not to get involved with the illegal drug trade so as not to “violate” the trust of those who voted for them.
“I hope that wag na sanang magsali ulit itong mga—di naman ako nagwa-warning kasi paalis na ‘ko—ang pakiusap ko lang yung mga mayors, the governors, all of the officials, especially those elected by the people,” he said.
(I hope that you do not get involved—I will not make a warning since I am stepping down—my appeal to mayors, governors, all of the officials, especially those elected by the people.)
“Do not violate the trust the people has reposed on us, lalo na yung sa droga [especially when it comes to drugs],” he added.
He also reiterated his call for his successor to continue his anti-illegal drug campaign.