Duterte slams Trillanes on ‘fewer drug addicts’ remark
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte slammed Senator Antonio Trillanes IV anew after the latter said there are now fewer drug addicts because they were killed without due process.
“Some critic senator, stupid senator. Trillanes said ‘Oh there, there are no more (drug addicts) because they are dead and so? Are you not happy that I’m doing it for you instead of you, a military idiot? You do not even know how to count,” Duterte said during his speech at the 9th anniversary of the Mindanao Development Authority in Davao City on Tuesday.
The President’s remarks came after Trillanes attributed the results of a recent survey, which showed that majority of Filipinos see fewer drug addicts in their area, to the lack of due process and the killing of drug suspects.
READ: Fewer drug addicts? Thousands were killed without due process — Trillanes
“Since libu-libo ang pinatay niyo na addicts without due process and without giving them the opportunity to be rehabilitated, ‘di ba natural lang na mababawasan ang addicts?” Trillanes said in a statement.
(Because you killed thousands without due process and without giving them the opportunity to be rehabilitated, isn’t it only natural that we have fewer drug addicts?)
Article continues after this advertisement“So, what are you celebrating, Mr. Panelo, the ruthlessness of your boss?” he added, referring to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who earlier said that the poll results were “a validation of the success of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.” /ee
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: SWS: Majority of Filipinos see fewer drug users in their areas
The President also pointed out how Trillanes, one of his staunch critics, nitpicks at everything he does.
“You take on every issue, I go to Hong Kong to celebrate the birthday of my wife because that was the order of my daughter,” Duterte said, referring to a recent trip with his family abroad.
In a tweet last February 17, Trillanes claimed that Duterte went to Hong Kong to seek treatment for an illness.
On Duterte's trip to Hongkong: pic.twitter.com/Hvj00aTxVH
— Sonny Trillanes IV (@TrillanesSonny) February 17, 2019
“Nagpagamot ka or naglabas ka ng pera or both. But definitely hindi ka pumunta dun para magpahinga or mag-shopping lang,” the senator said. /ee
READ: Duterte’s HK trip: To celebrate partner’s birthday with daughter