Despite widespread criticisms against his drug war that has claimed lives of thousands of Filipinos, President Duterte vowed to be unrelenting in his administration’s fight against illegal drugs.
The continued illegal drug war was Duterte’s first point in his second State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday.
“I have resolved that no matter how long it takes, the fight against illegal drugs will continue because it is the root cause of suffering,” Duterte said.
“The fight will be unrelenting… despite international and local pressures, the fight will not stop,” he said.
The president again warned drug criminals that “they have to stop because the alternative is either jail or hell.”
“I ask you to join me in this fight against illegal drugs and all forms of criminality,” Duterte urged the public.