‘I value human life the way I value mine’ – Duterte

Amid  continued criticisms  over  alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte assured  the public during his second  State of the Nation Address  (Sona) on Monday that he  values human life “the way I value mine.”

“To the critics against this fight, your efforts will be better spent if you use the  influence, moral authority and  ascendancy of your organizations over your respective sectors to educate the people on the evils  of illegal drugs instead of condemning the authorities and unjustly blaming for every killing that bloodies this country,” Duterte said in his speech  delivered   during a joint of session at the House of  Representatives in Quezon City.

“But don’t get me wrong. I value human life the  way I value mine. Each life  that is snuffed out translates into future generations lost. It is like cracking  the acorn from which oak tree grow, which in turn   produce the  seeds to complete the cycle of life in perpetuity ,” he said.

Duterte also vowed to continue his administration’s fight against  illegal drugs   “no matter how long it takes.”

“Despite international pressure and local pressure, the fight will not stop until those who deal with it understand that they have to cease, they have to stop   because the alternatives are either jail or hell. And I  will make sure, very sure that they will not have the luxury of enjoying the benefits of their greed and madness.”

“I don’t intend to loosen the leash in the campaign or lose the fight against illegal drugs. Neither do I intend preside over the destruction of the Filipino youth by being timid and   tentative  in  my decisions and actions,” the President added./rga