Mayors and barangay officials involved in the illegal drug trade are considered “dead men walking,” President Duterte said in his latest fuming tirade against officials abusing public office to commit crimes.
The President said he would “not hesitate to kill” those who destroy the nation with illegal drugs, adding he was prepared to go to jail for his anti-drug campaign.
“I’m ready really to even to go to jail after. I don’t mind. I’m old. And if I can save my country… ubusin ko talaga kayo [I will finish off all of you]. It’s my promise to God,” Duterte said during the groundbreaking of Panguil Bay bridge in Tubod, Lanao del Norte Wednesday.
“When I go out, halos lahat ng mga big time, mga mayor, mga barangay, I will take care of you all. One way or the other you will get hit. You could either be sitting on the toilet, taking a bath, eating, or walking… You are a dead man walking. I’ll  be frank with you,” he added.
The President warned that he would not tolerate “despots” involved in illegal activities while in government. He insisted that public servants engaged in illegal drugs would end up dead.
“Ang problema dito sa probinsya [The problem in the provinces] you allowed — I said despots — to rule your politics and your way of life,” he said.
He claimed that some mayors were even behind the killings of policemen and maids doing intelligence work.
“Until now we cannot find their bodies. Ganun kalala [That’s how bad it is] using the platform of a public office, using the money of the government to destroy his own people. That’s what makes things worse. We don’t agree with each other,” he said.
“Because once you go into drugs, you destroy my country. Once you feed my daughter and my son with drugs and they go crazy, you are destroying the next generation of Filipinos. Therefore, I will not hesitate to kill you,” he said.
In his next engagement in Ozamiz City, the President issued a stern warning to the family of slain drug suspect and former town mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.
“The Parojinog family, stop threatening people. I will wipe you from the face of the earth,” he said.
“I will really finish all of you off including the police. You better watch out. I’ll have you called in Manila. When you arrive at the airport, I’ll have you killed. L***** ninyo,” he said.
Duterte has also ordered the return of controversial Police Supt. Jovie Espenido to Ozamiz City.
He contacted Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde about the transfer of Espenido amid the clamor from the residents. He said the people of Ozamiz feel safe with Espenido back in their community.
As Ozamiz police chief, Espenido previously led anti-drug raids that killed Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and several others in 2017. (Genalyn Kabiling)
