BY GENALYN KABILING
There will be no slowing down in the government’s all-out campaign against illegal drug trade despite the reported reduction in the number of drug users in the country, President Duterte declared Monday.
Just like his no-mercy campaign in corruption in various government agencies, the President vowed that there would also be “no quarter asked, no quarter given” in the war on drugs as he once again warned dealers against destroying the nation.
“Walang pabor-pabor dito. No question that I am really mad. Galit ako sa droga. Kaya kung mamatay ka, kasi galit ako sa droga,” he said in his televised address.
Duterte said the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) reported that the country has around 1.67 million illegal drug users.
He likewise noted that the DDB reported that two out of one hundred Filipinos aged 10 to 69 are hooked on illegal drugs.
According to the former Davao City mayor, drug users before were rampant prompting him to declare war against all kinds of drug users, suppliers and financers.
“In the past, ‘yung panahon nila (former police chief and now Senator Ronald) Dela Rosa, umabot ‘yan ng almost 4 million. And how much has been reduced in the use of shabu? I really do not know until now. But we are still in the thick of the fight against shabu,” Duterte said.
He said he grieves for Filipinos who have become addicted to illegal drugs due to “waste of life.” He said drug users become “indolent” and “laggards” since their minds have been destroyed by drugs.
“In the end, it will destroy the nation. If this is allowed to go on and on, and if no decisive action is taken against them, it will endanger the security of the state,” he said.
Duterte also appealed to parents to look after their children and ensure they don’t fall for illegal drugs. He said parents should take responsibility if ever their kids get involved with drugs.
