MANILA -- Despite challenges in the economy, President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday vowed to solve the illegal drug problem in the Philippines until his last day in office.
“I have remaining mga three (years). I hope that I can put in place something,” Duterte said before members of the Filipino community in Papua New Guinea. Duterte's term as President ends in 2022.
Duterte is currently in Papua New Guinea to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting.
There are over 40,000 Filipinos in the country, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Duterte assured the Filipino workers in Papua New Guinea that the administration has already gained momentum in fighting corruption and illegal drugs.
Moreover, he said he had also fired several members of his government, including police personnel, who were accused of abuses and wrongdoings but acknowledged that it continues to be a problem.
“Do you know ang droga hindi mahinto (Do you know why illegal drugs continues)? Because it’s money and it’s very hot,” Duterte said, stressing that several police personnel were drug coddlers themselves.
Last week, Duterte said he wanted “the entire government machinery” to participate in the administration’s aggressive crackdown on illegal drugs.
“I will issue a memorandum circular directing the entire government machinery to mobilize its assets and to take an active role in government's anti-illegal drug campaign nationwide,” Duterte said.
The President said he also wanted to create a task force on anti-illegal drugs composed of different law enforcement agencies.
“What we have is the moving forward to eradicate illegal drug trade, activate a National Anti-illegal Drug Task Force,” Duterte said.
He said the task force will be composed of the personnel assets from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other agencies of the government. (PNA)
