- Duterte: I served the nation in declaring war on drugs
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte remained unapologetic in his strong campaign against illegal drugs, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to the nation’s welfare and expressing his unwavering patriotism and love for the Filipino people.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank the committee for inviting me so we can finally clarify the truth. I request that you do not treat me as a president or a friend; instead, treat me as a witness, and let’s see what the facts reveal. With your permission, thank you very much for having me,” Duterte said.
The former president was invited by the Blue Ribbon subcommittee on the Philippine war on illegal drugs, chaired by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel II probe the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs program on Monday, Oct. 28.
“I’d like to start by stating that my mandate as president of the republic was to protect the country and the Filipino people. Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies or excuses. I did what I had to do, and whether you believe it or not, I did it for my country,” Duterte said.
“The war on illegal drugs is not about killing people; it is about protecting the innocent and defenseless. It is about eradicating illegal substances such as shabu, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, party drugs, and others. This menace ruins people, families, and communities, tearing apart the social fabric that binds society together in peace, harmony, and brotherhood.
It is not unlike other slogans that call for a better future, such as the war on waste, war on corruption, and war against climate change.
I have always viewed individuals addicted to illegal drugs as victims in need of medical care, not as criminals. That is why the slogan for the war on drugs was coined as a message to the people of Davao City to stay away from illegal drugs. At the same time, I constructed a drug rehabilitation facility in Davao City.
Duterte said, “This facility, funded by the city government, is staffed by city doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, and health workers dedicated to the complete rehabilitation of those addicted to illegal drugs. I believed then, and I still believe now, that rehabilitation—rather than fear of death or incarceration—is the key to reintegrating addicted individuals into a just and forgiving society.”
“Make no mistake about it: I hate drugs. I loathe the purveyors, merchants, and pushers of this destructive element. I have consistently emphasized this throughout my campaign when I ran for president in 2016,” Duterte said.
This was my covenant with the Filipino people: to believe in me, and to this day, we must agree on what my government has achieved. Unfortunately, drug-related crimes are on the rise again. Every day, we hear about children being raped, people getting killed, and robberies occurring.
Recently, a drug den was raided within the Malacañang complex. This indicates that the purveyors of this menace are back in business. The Filipino people are anxious and distressed; self-preservation is the first law of nature. It is an instinct recognized in our laws as self-defense, which is why I have always instructed police authorities and operatives to be mindful of this fundamental law of nature.
However, I tell them not to abuse their authority and power. I have never allowed police or military abuse throughout my life, whether as a mayor or as president. If your life is at risk, and it can end in a matter of seconds, then and only then should you act accordingly.
“Repel aggression only in self-defense,” he said.
“I taught at our police academy for many years, and when I was a prosecutor, I augmented my income by teaching police. I told them that when arresting someone, you should not request them to surrender; rather, you must overcome their resistance. If they refuse to surrender the police must overcome that resistance.
If they are armed and you believe it is necessary, I instruct them to shoot to kill—at least that would mean one less criminal in the community. That was my directive as a fiscal and as a professor at the police academy.
This is what I taught them: No quarters given, no quarters asked. These are criminals. Repel aggression only in self-defense. Do not make orphans of your children and widows of your wives. I don’t want that on my conscience as mayor and president.
“I did what I had to do”
I have warned you: my job as president was never intended to be easy. I tried my best to address the problem of illegal drugs firmly and without compromise, despite all its successes and shortcomings.
“I and I alone take full legal responsibility for everything done by the police under my orders. I will be accountable; I will go to jail, not the police who followed my orders. They are just doing their jobs,” Duterte said.
“That is what I want to convey to the Filipino people, and I appreciate your invitation to express this,” he added.
I have warned you all, as your president and now as a private citizen, that drugs will destroy the Filipino people. It will destroy my country, and I will never allow it, whether I am a government employee or a private citizen.
“I will do what is necessary to protect my country, my community, and our children. This is a matter of principle, and I would die for it. Thank you very much,” Duterte concluded.
