‘I’m no longer a politician’

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech after leading the ceremonial distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of Cotabato Province, at the Provincial Gymnasium Capitol Compound in Kidapawan City, Cotabato on December 29, 2018. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte pledged anew yesterday to complete his crusade to eliminate crime and the narcotics scourge in the country, saying he will not stop despite all the odds he faces primarily from his critics.

“We are governing for all Filipinos. I am no longer a politician, I cannot run anymore,” Mr. Duterte said at the Tagaytay International Convention Center during the birthday celebration of Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Francis Tolentino.

The President again used forceful rhetoric against drugs traffickers saying “if you are a big-time trafficker, I will kill you even in front of human rights (defenders). I will slit your throat.”

The President said he considers the drugs problem as “under control,” but he still needed to reduce the problem.

Mr. Duterte has been under fire from rights groups due to his abrasive statements which his critics alleged as encouraging vigilantism.

“Remember this when I will be long gone. Before I pass away, I will say if this country cannot have law and order. If this country continues with its corruption, forget about the progress of the Republic of the Philippines,” Mr. Duterte added.

The President maintained that those addicted to drugs, such as shabu, “become slaves for life.”

He said drugs “have caused a lot of dysfunction in our society” while pledging that the anti-drug campaign will be a “continuing one.”

The Chief Executive added that it is his mandate “to protect the people and preserve the nation.”

“You f**k with it? Then, its war,” he added.

Mr. Duterte also defended his manner of relating to the people saying that his belief in God is strong.

“I have my vices, but there’s a boundary for everything. My mouth is just that, most of the things that come out are not true,” he added.