Duterte unfazed by apprehensions that foreign aid for PHL might stop

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo: Karl Norman Alonzo/PPD/PNA)

MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte is unfazed by apprehensions that international assistance to the Philippines might be affected by his remarks against world leaders and institutions.

During his visit to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Butuan City Thursday, President Duterte said he does not expect human rights groups, US President Barack Obama and the European Union to understand his war on drugs.

”Do not understand me and if you think it is high time for you guys to withdraw your assistance, go ahead. We will not beg for it,” President Duterte said in his speech.

The President made the remarks after Vice President Leni Robredo expressed fears that his negative remarks might affect the government’s anti-poverty programs.

For Robredo and other Filipino officials who said the Philippines might lose international assistance, Duterte asked, “You choose the crumbs of the favor of other nation that we will rely for their assistance or we make a stand that this country has to survive, that this country must see to it that the next generation is protected?”

”We will survive as a nation, even if it would be difficult. I’ll be the first one to go hunger. Do not worry. But we will never compromise our dignity as a Filipino,” the President said.

”It’s a cycle of violence already. You will never understand the pain going on in our country. Go away, bring your money to somewhere else. We will survive as a nation. Let’s see. There is always a day for reckoning,” he added.

President Duterte emphasized the need to stop illegal drugs now “because if we don’t interdict this evil of drugs”, it will ruin the country’s next generation.

”We have a problem here trying to preserve our society and you mess up by human rights. You’re threatening us of assistance. How do you look at us? Mendicants?” he said.

In his previous remarks, President Duterte slammed Obama and the United Nations for criticizing his war on drugs that already left 3,500 suspected drug users and pushers dead, including 1,347 killed in legitimate police operations.

During his speech, President Duterte showed his updated drug list that also includes policemen and at least 5,000 barangay officials.

The President however did not name names but said the policemen involved are either drug protectors or ninja cops.