President Duterte has vowed no mercy to drug pushers and their protectors in the government’s relentless campaign against the illegal drugs trade.
Duterte said there was “no turning back” in his anti-drug efforts, adding that human rights and due process could not be used an excuse to destroy the country.
“Do not rely on due process and human rights. It won’t pass, we will still see each other in hell,” Duterte said during the recent turnover of a drug rehabilitation facility in Davao del Norte.
“You think that those two basic principles can protect you. Well I’ll tell you, I’m sorry. It cannot,” added the former Davao City mayor.
The President said he is determined to “catch” the drug pushers and “preserve” the Filipino nation from the enormous drug problem without resorting to the declaration of Martial Law.
“Martial Law? Mine is to preserve the Filipino nation. I don’t think I need to impose Habeas Corpus, suspension, Martial Law. It is given that I will protect and defend the Constitution of the Philippines and protect the Filipino people,” he said.
“There’s no turning back because it is my job. When I took my oath of office, I have to protect the Filipino people,” Duterte added.
Duterte also said he was ready to die, go to prison, or be removed from office amid the government’s deadly campaign against the illegal drugs trade.
He also reaffirmed his vow to protect law enforcers performing their duty, saying he will take full responsibility if they are forced to kill criminals to defend their lives.
“Do not scare me because I am not scared to go to prison or face the firing squad. It actually feels good to die knowing that you have protected the nation,” Duterte said.
“I am willing to be assassinated for whatever reason or you sabotage the plane I am than die while using illegal drugs. I will be glad to die for my country,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, 13 detainees facing drug charges escaped from the jail of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency inside Camp Olivas, San Fernando City, Pampanga yesterday.
The 13 slipped out of the jail before dawn, said Derrick Arnold Carreon, spokesman for the PDEA.
“They sawed through the bars of the metal grille,’’ Carreon said.
Carreon said an investigation was under way to find out how they got the saw. (Genalyn D. Kabiling and AFP)