FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte understood President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “bloodless” approach to the war on drugs considering the privileged upbringing of the ex-dictator’s son.
Duterte acknowledged the recent arrests of government employees and high-value individuals for drug use, highlighted during Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
He emphasized that he takes the loss of innocent lives due to drug-related violence personally, justifying his previous advice to the police to “do their job.”
Duterte stressed the importance of strengthening maritime security, as the country’s vast coastline remains vulnerable to drug smuggling.
He also attributed the rise in drug-related activities to the growing population and limited job opportunities, pushing some individuals toward the illegal drug trade.
During his SONA, President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to the “bloodless” drug war, emphasizing that extermination was never part of the strategy.
He stated, “The bloodless war against illegal drugs will continue to be effective. Extermination was never one of them.”
This statement underscores the administration’s focus on rehabilitation and prevention, aiming to address the root causes of drug addiction while maintaining a firm stance against drug-related crime.
