FILE PHOTO: Outgoing Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and incoming Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Image from PCOO / Facebook)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday alleged that former president Rodrigo Duterte is taking fentanyl.
On Sunday, Duterte accused Marcos of using illegal drugs, claiming that he was shown evidence by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Marcos, however, attributed the allegation to Duterte’s alleged fentanyl use. The PDEA also denied Duterte’s claim that Marcos was on a drugs watch list.
“I think it’s the fentanyl. Fentanyl is the strongest painkiller you can buy. It is highly addictive and it has very serious side effects and PRRD has been taking the drug for a very long time now,” said Marcos in an ambush interview in Pasay before he left for Vietnam.
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According to Marcos, Duterte has been taking the painkiller for five to six years. Marcos said that it was bound to have some sort of effect on Duterte.
“I hope his doctors take better care of them, hindi pinapabayaan itong mga nagiging problema,” said Marcos.
(I hope his doctors take better care of them, this problem should not be ignored.)
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Marcos also laughed off the question asking if he took illegal drugs, saying he will not dignify it.
“I won’t even dignify the question,” said Marcos.
In 2016, Duterte admitted to using fentanyl to relieve pain. He, however, has yet to confirm if he is still taking it.