Duterte says PNP may return to drug ops

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the launching of the Department of Agriculture’s partnership with Ayala Malls at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City on November 18, 2017, cites how farmers and fisherfolks could benefit from a government that is compassionate and free from corruption. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The Philippine National Police (PNP) may retake its position as the leader of the war on drugs according to its ‘architect.’

“The drug problem, if it becomes worse again, the police has to enter the picture,” President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said in his speech on Saturday in Davao City.

“If human rights [advocates] are taking that (Donald) Trump or whoever the human rights can stop me, I’m sorry,” Duterte added.

The President has been consistent in considering drugs as the main and root causes of other problems that the country is facing, as he stressed that he wanted it to be ‘eradicated.’

Just like his previous speeches, Duterte explained how drug trade is an organized crime. He went on by saying that another problem is that a lot do not really understand the threat of drugs.

Shortened deadline?

While the Chief Executive did not specify any timeframe on when PNP may return to the drug operation scene, this was the first time that he mentioned the police’s comeback.

On October 20, the Chief Executive in a speech gave the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) six months to prove that they are capable of dealing with the drug problem, a week after assigning the said agency to head the drug operations.

(Read: Rody gives PDEA 6-month deadline on drug war)

“Pinatabi ko muna lahat (I asked everyone else to step aside). And whether it will be worse or better, I simply do not have the answer,” he said in the same speech.

The President said that he was doing this for the media and the ‘bleeding hearts’ who consistently condemn his campaign, as assigning PDEA would mean lessened killings.

He, however, stressed then that he has done everything in his power about the drug problem, so he just wanted to give PDEA a chance.

“Ngayon, pagka lumabo na naman ito, sabihan ko itong mga unggoy na ‘to, ‘Bumalik kayo dito, solbahin ninyo ang problema namin. Kayo ‘yung madaldal, pagka hindi ninyo nasolba d’yan, tutuliin ko kayo uli (Now, if the situations gets worse, I’ll say to these monkeys, ‘Come back here, and solve our problem. Since you are all talkative, if you cannot solve it, I will circumcise all of you again),” he said then, referring to foreign human rights advocates who criticize him.