Rodrigo Duterte, the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, delivers his inaugural speech on June 30 at Malacañang Palace. MALACAÑANG POOL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday minced no words when he said that no one would be spared in his fight against illegal drugs.
Speaking at the change of command ceremony at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters, Duterte warned drug lords that their hours—not days—were numbered.
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“We will eliminate the drug lords once and for all,” Duterte said, saying it is a “very serious problem” of the country.
The President hit drug lords inside the national penitentiary involved in illegal drug trade.
“Hinihiya ninyo ang gobyerno. Sinasampal ninyo kami. Magbilang kayo ng oras. Ayaw ko ng araw,” he said.
He said he would be “harsh” against his fight on illegal drugs.
“I would be harsh and wala akong tolerance sa droga. Zero,” he said.
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He cited how the illegal drug trade is happening inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
“Saan ka nakakita dito ng gobyerno na ang trafficking ng drugs is being controlled inside the Bilibid prison? At parang sampal ‘yan nang ilang beses,” he said.
“How can it happen na kung mag-inspection ka sa Bilibid, you have to ask permission from the idiot inside?”
He recalled an incident when he once visited the Bilipid prison where prisoners would recognize him because they usually see him on television, one of the amenities prisoners continue to enjoy despite being prohibited.
“This is my first day. I’m warning them there, they have the TVs there inside,” he said.
While some drug lords continued to enjoy their luxuries inside the Bilibid in previous administrations, he said their happy times were over.
“You know there is always a time for everything. There’s always a time for you to make money and make a mockery out of our laws. There’s always a time for you to be in control even if you are inside the prison. But there is always a time to rest and to die,” he said.
He warned drug lords and all those involved in illegal drugs to stop their activities.
“Bitawan na ninyo ‘yan o kainin na ninyo ngayon ang supply ninyo. Nawala na talaga ang pasensya ko sa inyo. Iniinsulto ninyo kami,” he said.
He urged the AFP and the police to help him in his fight against illegal drugs.
“We can only take so much insult. We can only take so much … hanggang kaya lang ng sikmura namin. E, ako ay nasusuka na. And you have to help me put it stop,” he said.
The President reiterated his previous pronouncements that he was willing to put his honor, life and even the presidency on the line to deliver on his promise to end illegal drugs in the country.
“If you destroy my country, I will kill you. If you destroy our children, I will kill you. If I am asked by anybody, including the Commission on Human Rights, I do not know you,” he said. IDL/rga/RC
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