Presodent Rodrigo Duterte. MALACAÑANG FILE PHOTO
President Duterte, who has waged a bloody war against illegal drugs, on Monday night said he would continue his fight against drug lords even as an ordinary citizen. During his weekly public address, the President said he would be happy to see drug lords “dead than alive,” reiterating that illegal drugs make the Philippines a “dysfunctional” society. “I just hate drugs. President or not, I am really angry at you,” Mr. Duterte said, referring to drug lords. “So we can continue this fight even if I am already a civilian.” The President’s statement came weeks after he admitted that he was unable to end the country’s drug problem, which he promised to rid in three to six months after taking office in June 2016. He said his self-imposed deadline was just a campaign “hubris,” adding that he was “really wrong” with his promise. But on Monday night, he warned drug lords that “I will forever remain your enemy, remember that.” Mr. Duterte wants the incoming administration to also be unforgiving in its war against illegal drugs. “They should be able to kill the drug lords without mercy. Never mind human rights [groups]. They cannot help our country,” he said.