MANILA, Philippines — President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte told him to continue his controversial war against illegal drugs.
Marcos Jr. said he and Duterte had “several” meetings even before the May 9, 2022 elections, being that he is the only administration candidate.
In the meetings, Duterte, according to Marcos Jr., said he can combat the country’s drug problem “in his own way” as long as it is continued.
“Ang kanya, ang sinasabi niya, the one thing he was very assertive about is ituloy mo ‘yung anti-drug syndicate na sinimulan ko’,” Marcos said, quoting Duterte.
(The one thing he is assertive about is that I continue the anti-drug war he started.)
“’Do it your own way, palitan mo, pero ‘wag mo iiwanan ‘yan dahil kawawa ang kabataan natin. Talagang nasisira ang mga buhay nila’,” Marcos continued, again quoting Duterte.
(Do it your own way, just don’t forget about it because it will be our youth who will suffer. Their lives would be ruined.)
Marcos Jr. said he appreciated what Duterte said.
Duterte is facing a complaint before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in connection with the killings under his bloody drug war.
(FILE) A shabu warehouse is shut down by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Brgy. Tinajeros, Malabon City. Two men were arrested by the PDEA agents during the raid including a Chinese-Filipino. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA
Meeting with Duterte
Marcos Jr. also recounted another meeting with Duterte where they had “casually discussed” the economy.
He said that Duterte and other people were talking about increasing the monthly cash subsidy for poor families amid the rising prices of fuel from P200 to P500.
“And then he turned to me and he said, ‘sorry na lang kung ikaw ‘yung susunod, uubusin ko ‘yung pera kasi kailangan na talaga ng tao’,” Marcos Jr. said.
(I’m sorry if you are going to be the next president, I will take the money because the people need it.)
Marcos Jr. said that he was only a “bystander” to the discussion and he was “only watching.”
“It’s a very casual discussion but he likes to throw it out there to see how people react and to see how it should be changed,” he said.
President Duterte ordered the increase of the monthly cash subsidy in March this year.