President Rodrigo Duterte told drug smugglers and communist rebels to “drop” their drugs and guns if they want peace.

In a speech in Cordova, Cebu on Wednesday, Duterte said that surrendering is the only acceptable compromise with both drug smugglers and members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“Kayong mga NPA, kayong mga drugista, you want peace? Magtrabaho ka lang then drop the gun. Kayong mga drugista, drop the drugs. Itapon mo ‘yan at wala ka talagang problema sa akin.” He said.

Duterte also added that law enforcement authorities would have no choice but to shoot and kill them if they continue to resist arrest.

“Destroy my country and our children, I will kill you. That is my mantra and that will still be my mantra in a few days when I go out of Malacañang,” he said.

He further clarified that he did not order law enforcement to kill suspects who surrendered to police custody, stating that there would not be any problems as long as drug smugglers “behaved”.

“Wala akong inutusan na patayin mo naka hands up, nakaupo in surrender (I never ordered them to kill those with their hands up, those kneeling in surrender). That’s not the work of the police,” he added.

Meanwhile, Duterte renewed his call to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the deaths of police officers, allegedly killed while conducting legitimate anti-drug operations.

“Pag-aralan ninyo mabuti. Tanungin mo sino yung namatay at bakit patay ‘yan (Study it well. Ask who died and why they died),” he said.

The government is currently implementing a community-based program for drug surrenderers in need of treatment and rehabilitation.

It is also implementing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for NPA insurgents who will surrender to authorities.

Previously, Duterte expressed hope that his successor would continue the administration’s crackdown on crime, drugs and terrorism.

Photo Credit: Facebook/pcoogov