I’m fighting gov’t

Certain end President Rodrigo Duterte vows to end the drugs scourge, the enormity of the problem notwithstanding. AFP

President Rodrigo Duterte said the war on drugs he waged had taken time since he realized, after assuming the presidency, that he is up against deeply-entrenched syndicates within the government.

“I said, I will finish the war on drugs in six months. Son of a b*tch, when I became President, I didn’t realize I was fighting my own government,” Mr. Duterte said yesterday in Laur, Nueva Ecija during the inauguration of a drug rehabilitation center.

The President lamented that despite the unrelenting campaign against narcotics, 3 million Filipinos remain as drug addicts.

“Three million addicts is no joke to me. I hate drugs because you do not f*ck with my country,” Mr. Duterte said in his speech.

The President said criticisms on him not being able to “transition from being a mayor to President” is true particularly his relation to methods he employs against crime and corruption.

“I kicked an undersecretary on the face since he was into irregularities,” he said.

He added he was shocked when he found out that his “enemies” are right under his noses – such as corrupt Bureau of Customs personnel, rogue police generals and the like.

Because of this, the President issued another warning to drug pushers and coddlers of suspected drug lords that he will not cease in going after them one by one until the problem is eradicated.

“To those involved in illegal drugs: No quarters given. No quarters asked. I don’t give a sh*t, I will kill you. If you will destroy my country, I will kill you,” Mr. Duterte exclaimed.

The President also appeared not concerned with the looming repercussions resulting from his controversial campaign against narcotics, stressing that his critics, particularly human rights advocates, can “call God and intervene.”

The President lamented that despite the unrelenting campaign against narcotics, three million Filipinos remain as drug addicts.

“They (can) shout to the heavens with bleeding hearts,” he said.

Mr. Duterte ordered the military and police to put an end to the drug menace as he offered to take full responsibility for the consequence of the campaign.

“To drugs people, I can kill you for nothing,” he said.

The President said his campaign will not end unless the use of the illegal substance is totally eradicated. “I hate drugs and I will do everything to end it,” Mr. Duterte added.

He said the drugs situation does not show any improvement as he claimed the Sinaloa drug cartel of Mexico is now in the country through an alliance with the Bamboo Triad.

The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday convicted a Mexican national, who is allegedly linked to the Sinaloa drug cartel, for selling 2.5 kg. of cocaine to undercover operatives four years ago.

In a seven-page decision, RTC Branch 63 Judge Selma Palacio Alaras sentenced Horacio Hernandez Herrera to life imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 to P10 million.

Herrera was supposedly in talks with members of a Chinese drug syndicate when he was arrested in an entrapment operation.

In New York, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the acknowledged leader of the Sinaloa cartel, was found guilty for drug trafficking, money laundering and murder.

The case has drawn international attention for the details bared during the trial, including an allegation that Guzman paid high-ranking Mexican officials to turn a blind eye to the operations of his drug cartel.

Guzman was extradited to the United States two years ago after escaping from a Mexican prison.

Mr. Duterte said criminal syndicates are flourishing globally. “We are fighting a global war against drugs,” he added.

The President said the facility will provide care to drug dependents and help them become counselors.