Duterte says Mexican drug cartel active in PHL

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday confirmed the active presence of the Sinaloa Mexican drug cartel in the Philippines.

In a speech before the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), he said this was another reason for his intensive campaign against illegal narcotics.

"Is Mexico into us? Yes. Sinaloa, iyong cartel nila, tayo ang transshipment. Kasi ini-enradicate sila ng mga Amerikano. Binobomba sila. Kaya dito sila sa transshipment," he said.

"Active ang Sinaloa. I never, never, never hoist a lie. I'm telling you," Duterte added.

Last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted a suspected member of the cartel who was caught in a buy bust operation in Makati City.

The President in his speech also warned that if the drug problem in the country won't be solved during his term, no other President can solve it.

"Kung hindi ko ito matapos, walang Pilipinong presidente na makatapos. Seven years from now, double the addicts... Then, we will have the narcopolitics," Duterte said.

Awkward moment

During the campaign, Duterte had spoken out against the drug trade in Mexico, leading to an awkward moment because he didn't know that Mexican Ambassador Julio Camerena Villaseñor was in the audience.

"Bakit pupunta ka ba sa Mexico ngayon? Are you going to Mexico with all the kidnappings and killings there? Drugs. Colombia. Everywhere. America,” he said.

The organizers pointed at the ambassador in an attempt to stop Duterte. 

“Yes, the Ambassador is there. I am sorry,” Duterte said. —JST, GMA News