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Duterte: Gov’t ‘war on drugs’ to continue

President Rodrigo Duterte said the government will continue its war on drugs despite pressure from international and local critics.

“No matter how long it takes the fight against illegal drugs will continue because that is the root cause of so much evil,” Duterte said in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on July 24. “Despite international and local pressure, the fight will not stop.”

Duterte also called on his critics to direct their opposition to the campaign by educating people on the “evil of drugs”.

“To the critics, instead of condemning the authorities, your efforts will be better spent if you use your influence to educate people on evil of drugs.”

He added, “Don’t get me wrong. I value human life the way I value mine. Each life snuffed out is the future generation’s loss [but] you harm the children whose hands of the future of this republic is entrusted, I’ll hound you to the very gates of hell.”

Latest statistics from the Philippine National Police showed that authorities and vigilantes had killed over 7,025 suspected persons involved in the drug trade from July 2016 through January 2017.

Photo credits: King Rodriguez, PCOO

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