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‘BAHALA NA KAYO’

Duterte turns over ‘narco list’ to AFP


President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday turned over a more complete "narco list" to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as he reminded the military that its main responsibility is to "protect the people" on top of defending national security.

"Ibigay ko ito sa Armed Forces. Ito ang problema natin... I'm just saying that the ultimate warriors of the Constitution, to protect the people is the Armed Forces of the Philippines. So bahala na kayo," Duterte said in his visit at the headquarters of the Philippine Army's 5th Infantry Division in Gamu, Isabela, as he showed a thick folder containing a list of people suspected of being involved in illegal drugs.

Duterte said the list includes governors, congressmen, assemblymen, mayors, barangay captains and policemen.

Last Thursday, Duterte announced that he was about to make public a final report on government officials involved in illegal drugs.

He told the soldiers that the Philippine National Police (PNP) only has a supporting role to the AFP when it comes to protecting the people and the state.

"Inyo 'yan eh sa constitution, is to preserve... Inyong trabaho iyan, baka nakalimutan  ninyo, inyo 'yan. To protect.. Do not allow the country to disintegrate," Duterte said without elaborating.

He reiterated his earlier assurance that soldiers, as well as the policemen, will be protected by his administration in the fight against illegal drugs.

"Sa panahon ko kung six years, wala kayong takot. Lahat nang gawin ninyo, sa utos ko, akin 'yan. Kayo magpakulong sabihin lang ninyo, 'Utos iyan ni Mayor Duterte, siya lang ang tanungin mo. Siya ang ikulong ninyo.' Walang problema, trabaho lang kayo," he said.

He added: "Just do what is the mandate of the Constitution, at ako na ang bahala sa inyo. I will protect you."

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the military leadership has not actually received the narco list.

Padilla clarified that the AFP will maintain a supporting role in the war on drugs, which is currently being headed by the PNP.

He expressed support in Duterte's call for the police and military to work together, and continue the campaign even after his term.

"The Commander-in-Chief mentioned the immensity of the nation's drug problem. He said he will lead and keep on fighting to save the country from this monster. He mentioned that should he not last his term, he calls on the AFP to keep the fight in the interest of our nation's future," Padilla said.

Fears he won't outlast war on drugs

During his speech, Duterte mentioned that the name of retired police official and now Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot is "all over" the final report.

"Kagaya si Loot sa Region 1 nandiyan ang pangalan niya. General Loot nandyan sa Region 2, Region 3, Region 4. What does that mean? Whenever he was assigned he was into drugs, that is what it means," the President said.

Loot was one of the five retired and active ranking police officials named by Duterte as alleged protectors of drug syndicates.

He also mentioned the name of Naguillan, La Union Mayor Reynaldo Flores being a "high-value target."

Duterte said he was not sure if he will be able to finish his six-year term because there is a possibility that the people on the list may have him killed.

"I do not know if I will survive the six years or not.. Sa dami 'di kayang patayin lahat, baka ako pa ang patayin nito," he said.

"Sa isang page mayor, assemblyman, mayor, vice mayor... Sa iba naman, barangays captains, puro barangay captain. Boni sultan, Lumati Maasin, municipal councilor... Governor, congressman, mayor, barangay captain, nasa gobyerno. How can I build a case na ganito sa karami. Sabihin ng human rights, 'You build a case.' Saan ako maghanap ng pulis na tayo you are preparing for war," he said, adding that aside from illegal drugs the authorities are also confronted with the problem of corruption, terrorism and insurgency.

"Kaya sabi ko if it would outlast me, mawala ako nang bigla, hingin ko lang sa inyo to see to it that this country will not take a spin, kasi ito the whole of the Philippines ang tinamaan," he told the soldiers. —with Jessica Bartolome/ALG, GMA News

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