Palace fires back at Baste Duterte, points to recent Davao drug bust
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday said the Marcos administration can address the problem of illegal drug use without resorting to extrajudicial killings.
These remarks came after Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said over the weekend that Marcos has “brought back” drugs, criminality, and corruption and has no achievements as the country’s chief executive.
READ: Baste Duterte: Marcos has no achievements as president
“Kaya nga po masugid ang ating gobyerno sa pagsawata ng mga iligal na droga. Kaya nga nagtataka po tayo, bakit po kaya napakadaming droga, illegal drugs na nahuhuli sa Davao City?” Palace press officer Claire Castro responded when asked to comment on the mayor’s allegations that Marcos brought back drugs.
(That is why our government is very strict in combating illegal drugs. That is why we are wondering—why are there so many illegal drugs being seized in Davao City?)
She then presented a printed copy of a press release from the Philippine National Police.
“Katulad po nito, noong May 14, 2026, mayroon pong nahuli, nasabat na halagang P15.6 million shabu mismo sa Davao City operation. Hindi po ba sakop niya [Mayor Duterte] ito? Kaya nga po bakit sa Davao City ay may nahuhuli kung naging epektibo po iyong sinasabi nilang war on drugs,” Castro said.
(For example, on May 14, 2026, shabu worth P15.6 million was seized in an operation right in Davao City. Isn’t this under [Mayor Duterte]? That’s why we are wondering—if the so-called “war on drugs” was effective, why are there still drug seizures happening in Davao City?)
“Sa ngayon po, wala po tayong EJK pero marami pong nasasabat ang ating mga law enforcers para po masawata ang iligal na droga,” she also said.
(At present, we do not have EJKs, but our law enforcement agencies are making many seizures in order to curb illegal drugs.)
She also did not let Mayor Duterte’s remarks on corruption pass without comment and took a swipe at former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“At patungkol po sa hindi nasawata ang korapsyon, patuloy po ang administrasyon na ito para panagutin ang dapat managot. Ang isa po na umamin na korap at nagnakaw sa pondo ng bayan nasa The Hague na po,” said Castro.
(As for corruption not being curbed, this administration continues to hold accountable those who should be held responsible. One person who admitted to corruption and stealing public funds is now in The Hague.)
The mayor further claimed that the country is currently under “martial law” that was never formally declared, which Castro belied.
“Unang-una po, kayo po ang makakaramdam, kayong mga taga-media, kung mayroon po bang mga implied martial law na nagaganap. Ang pagbibigay ng kalayaan at hindi pagsawata at hindi pagkitil sa mga taga-media at iba nating mga kababayan ng kanilang karapatan lalung-lalo na itong freedom of the press and freedom of expression, hindi po ito sinasawata ng Pangulo,” said Castro.
(First of all, you in the media are the ones who would feel it if there were any implied martial law taking place. The granting of freedom and the absence of suppression or violation of the rights of media workers and our fellow citizens—especially freedom of the press and freedom of expression—are not being curtailed by the President.)
“Mas naramdaman ito sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte. Marami ang mga taga-media na tumutol sa ginagawang pagkitil ng freedom of the press and freedom of expression sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte,” she continued.
(This was felt more during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Many members of the media opposed the suppression of freedom of the press and freedom of expression during former President Duterte’s administration.) /gsg
