Lucena, Batangas with ‘red flags’ in drug scene: PRRD

FILE: President Rodrigo R. Duterte (PNA photo)

MANILA — Drugs are prevalent in Lucena and Batangas, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Wednesday, stressing that the two cities have “red flags” in a map that charts the country’s drug scene.

During a campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Batangas, Duterte asked the residents not to be offended by his remark, renewing his commitment to curb illegal drugs in the country.

“Talagang sabi ko, pupunta ako ng Batangas (I said, I’ll really go to Batnagas). Please do not be offended. Tutal para sa bayan man ‘to at wala ho akong tinutukoy na tao dito (Anyway, this is for the country, and I’m not talking about a particular people here). I talk on general terms,” he said.

“But apparently, Lucena and Batangas right now appear to be with red flags in the map sa (in the) drug scene,” he added.

Duterte said survey results showed that both cities are even unsupportive of the administration and therefore, uncooperative in the drug war.

“Ang survey is galit sa gobyerno. Wala akong pakialam. Ako po’y hindi na makatakbo. Dead-end na ako dito sa tatlong taon.

 (The survey shows they’re mad at the government. I don’t care. I only have three years left),” he said.

“Kayo ang may problema, hindi ako (You have the problem, not me),” he added.

The President also noted that the country’s drug problem has worsened due to the vulnerability of the nation’s borders and increasing international drug cartels from Asia.

“Mga Thai… lahat na… China (The Thai, everyone, the Chinese). Not the country but the citizens. ‘Yung mga gangster nila. Kaya hirap tayo(Their gangsters. That’s why we’re having difficulties),” he said.

Duterte, meanwhile, warned local officials involved in illegal drugs that he would not think twice about getting rid of them.

“May three years pa ako. Ubusin ko talaga kayong lahat para wala nang problema ‘yung next generation (I have three years left. I’ll finish you all so the next generation won’t have any more problems),” he said.