Philippine president says no genocide in his bloody drug war

Paynor is Duterte’s chief protocol officer.

This, after President Duterte offered P2 million reward for any information that could lead to the identification and eventual prosecution of policemen who are coddling drugs syndicates.

In front of the fearless Filipino soldiers who died for the country, Duterte promised to protect the military and the police who will join in his relentless fight against drugs, corruption and crimes.

Alongside his fight against drugs is his campaign against corruption.

Human rights groups have expressed alarm over the killings, and United Nations -appointed human rights experts have warned that steps should be taken to halt the violence, adding that the government and law enforcers could be held responsible.

“Prison? I will go to prison”.

“Human rights? Use it properly in the right context if you have the brains”, he added.

The Duterte administration’s war on drugs has so far claimed the lives of an estimated 1,800 people, some who died at the hands of Philippines security forces.

On Monday, an unidentified gunman killed a suspected drug lord, Melvin Odicta Sr., and his wife after they got off an inter-island ferry in central Aklan province, police said.

“We see this as a bold initiative to once and for all rid the organization of errant personnel who are in cahoots with drug syndicates”, said Chief Supt.

In a speech to thousands of drug users and pushers the previous day, Mr. dela Rosa encouraged them to kill drug lords because they were getting rich at the expense of the poor. “I could have just a matrix in front of you, then, maybe you will start to believe”, he added. “You know who are the drug lords here, go to their houses, pour gasoline, set it on fire, show them you are angry at them”. “We can not build a country over the bones of our citizens”.

Duterte, 71, who took office June 30, built a name with a deadly crime-busting style as the longtime mayor of southern Davao city.

“Soldiers, police [men] – remember this”.

“This is not a dictatorship”, he said.

He explained that P3.5 billion is for the payment of the total administrative liability tagged as arrears for widows and those who died during World War II (WWII) while the P1.2 billion is for the military retirees who are 80 years old and above. “Do you think we’re celebrating every night?”

He said he will be as harsh as ever. The streets are for their children.

“I have not reached that point”.

Duterte branded corrupt police members as “ninjas” and accused them of taking pay-offs from drug dealers. There’s a crisis in this country – it’s drugs.

Duterte made the comments in a speech Monday marking Philippine heroes’ day that was attended by Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua and other diplomats.

Filipino fishermen continue to be prevented by Chinese Coast Guard vessels from entering parts of the West Philippine Sea, including fish-abundant Scarborough Shoal, despite an worldwide arbitration court’s ruling that China’s sweeping claims are not valid. Zhao just smiled in response.

He also appealed to China to allow Filipino fishermen to fish over the contested waters.

“The Filipinos are always in the hearts of Chinese people”. After all. there’s Chinese blood in me.