Duterte aims for a ‘more acceptable’ drug war

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-appointed general and flag officers in Malacañan Palace on December 6, 2017, appeals to the the armed forces officials to remain loyal to the flag and to the constitution. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Despite his campaign to eradicate illegal drugs often tagged as ‘bloody,’ the President now aims to find ‘acceptable’ ways of addressing the country’s problem.
“I will walk not only the extra mile [to find a more acceptable way]. I will walk for one day to find it. But in the meantime, I will not allow my country to go to the dogs,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-appointed general and flag officers on December 6.
Duterte has always been firm on his stance when it comes to illegal drugs even before being elected, but he admitted that it is “not a good policy.” While the President has often threatened killing drug-related criminals during most of his speeches, this time, he added that they “do not enjoy killing their own folk.”
“But we are besieged, I said, by something that is very terrible. China is already suffering from it,” he said.
According to the President, he does not care about his critics since four million people under the influence of illegal drugs should not be ignored
“I do not give a s*** about the International Court of Justice. For the end of the day, if my country collapses under the weight of drugs, you will not be here to help the Philippines.

So, don’t bulls*** me,” he said.
“Forty-two percent of the total barangays are contaminated with shabu. Nine thousand policemen — I do not know if I have to kill them –are in shabu business and also shabu addicts. Think about that,” he added.
Duterte then vowed to finish his campaign until his term ends.
“Itong droga (Drugs) [is a] non-issue for me. It will be a policy until the dying days of my presidency,” he said.
He added that, “This [problem of] drugs, itong drugs, give me a little bit of time. I will finish it to the last man. I do not care what other people say.

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Two months ago, Duterte assigned Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as the sole agency to handle his drug war to address his critics slamming the drug war killings.
Then a few days ago, the President ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) along with other agencies to return to the drug operation scenes, while retaining PDEA as leader.