Don’t commit drug-related crimes here and abroad: PRRD to Pinoys

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City on February 24, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday night warned Filipinos against committing drug-related crimes here and abroad, stressing that he would not be able to get them off the hook.

Duterte, who earlier said he would push for a “harsher” crackdown on illegal drugs, said he did not care whether the drug suspect is a Filipino or a foreigner.

“It is during my time that it would be very, very dangerous for anybody to do drugs. Whether as a drug lord, wala akong pakialam kung galing kang China, galing kang Taiwan, galing kang Manila (I don’t care if they’re from China, Taiwan or Manila),” Duterte said in his speech during the first national assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas in Pasay City.

“Pag pumunta kayo dito at ginawa ninyo ‘yan, papatayin ko talaga kayo (If you come here and do that, I’ll really kill you),” he added.

Duterte warned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in particular, against committing illegal drug-related crimes abroad since some countries impose capital punishment.

“Kaya kayong mga Pilipino sa labas, wag ninyong gawin ‘yan kasi papatayin din kayo doon (That’s why you, Filipinos abroad, don’t do that because you’ll also be killed there). Do not be committing crimes in other countries,” Duterte said.

“I cannot help you and I won’t help you. ‘Yan tandaan ninyo (Remember that),” he added.

Duterte said his warning also applies to government workers and officials, noting that some had been “hiding” their involvement in the drug trade until he became President.

“I realized that in waging a war against drugs, I would be fighting my own government,” Duterte said.

“’Yun ang malas ko. At nabuksan lang ‘yan nung Presidente na ako. Tinago nila ng tinago ‘yan (That’s my bad luck. And this was only discovered when I became President. They kept hiding it),” he added.

It was not clear if Duterte was referring to current or sacked government officials.

Meanwhile, Duterte also lambasted human rights groups for claiming his war on drugs only targeted the poor.

“Sinabi nila, pinapatay ni Duterte ang mahirap. Wala kang alam, tonto ka, torpe ka (They say, Duterte targets only the poor. You don’t know anything. You’re stupid),” he added.

Duterte reiterated that shabu has “caused a social dysfunction” by ruining the lives of many families.

The President has vowed to end the illegal drug trade before he steps down in 2022.