President Rodrigo Duterte believes that incoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and his administration will do their best to continue the fight against illegal drugs.

“…I trust that the next administration will also do its very best to confront itong (these) drug[s],” Duterte stated in a prerecorded Talk to the People posted on June 6.

As his term nears its end, Duterte said that he is ‘scared’ that the drug industry will escalate after his term, particularly because of the involvement of money.

For the period of May 22 to June 4, 2022, the total estimated value of confiscated illegal drugs, specifically marijuana and shabu, stood at more than P897 million. 

Duterte said that despite his dire warnings and the charges he is facing in the International Criminal Court (ICC) because of his pronouncements on the war on drugs, the drug industry continues to proliferate.

Despite his fear, Duterte expressed his trust and confidence in the police and military to prevent illegal drugs.

Duterte acknowledged that there are some scalawags in the police force, but he said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) keeps watch of its ranks. 

“I still trust the police. Mayroong mga scalawags, mayroon ring nasa droga pero [There are some scalawags, there are some involved in illegal drugs]— a few of them. And yet, the police had to police its own ranks and maraming pulis na nahuli nila [and many police officers have been caught],” Duterte said.

Duterte encouraged the PNP to remember and serve the country regardless of who its leaders are. He added that the country’s leaders come and go, but the organizations of the police and military will always be there. 

On communists and terrorists

In his speech, Duterte also criticized human rights groups that accuse him of “going to the extremes” in his campaign against illegal drugs while they fail to investigate communists and terrorists who kill civilians, barangay captains, and other local government officials.

“Is there any case pursued by the human rights, international or the local, to at least equalize the situation by also going after the terrorists who are criminals?” he asked. 

Duterte also commended the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for its efforts in addressing insurgency in the country.

“Ang success ng ELCAC, ‘yung whole-of-government approach, ‘pag na-maintain ‘yan, mas madali [The success of ELCAC, its whole-of-government approach, once that is maintained, it would be easier],” he stated.

Duterte added that he is confident that in two years, the government will be able to “almost wipe out” communist rebels.

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