Duterte: Even gov’t guilty of oppressing Filipinos

“Pure oppression” was how Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte described the current plight of Filipinos, a condition they are subjected to not just by lawless elements, but also by their very own government.

Speaking at a forum at the De La Salle University in Manila, Duterte said the Philippines is “very disorderly and people don’t have security.”

“It’s not only the criminals who are working overtime to oppress the people; it’s the government itself,” the tough-talking mayor said.

READ: Duterte to declare revolutionary gov’t once elected

Duterte cited the bullet-planting incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as “pure oppression” by the government itself.

He said “the obedience to the law is almost optional,” citing the rising criminality and drug problems in the country.

“My God, I hate drugs and I have to kill people because I hate drugs,” he said, adding that if elected as president there would be no “bloodless cleansing.”

READ: Duterte promises to wipe out criminals

Duterte, however, was quick to say that that “it would always be in accordance with the law.”

He said he was determined to fight criminality and drugs “even if it would cause me my life, my honor and even my liberty.”

He said he is not asking for an entire term to solve the country’s problems with drugs and criminality, but reiterated that he would address these evils in three to six months if elected president. IDL