Duterte repeatedly curses at EU, revives issue on 'suggestion' to set up drug clinics

President Rodrigo Duterte let out a barrage of curses against the European Union as he revived the group's alleged suggestion to set up drug rehabilitation clinics in the country.

In his speech during the 50th founding anniversary of Davao del Norte on Saturday, Duterte said that the EU wanted clinics similar to the ones in the Netherlands to be set up in the Philippines.

"Gusto nila ako magtayo ng mga clinics. Sabi ko p---ina . Sabi ko come here to the Philippines and sa harap ko sabihin mo. Pu---ina ka, sampalin talaga kita," he said.

The President said he was insulted at the suggestion, because he was already dealing with poverty, lack of employment, and the ongoing crisis in Marawi City.

"Because to me that is an insult. Why would you suggest a thing like that? Wala na nga akong pagkain para sa mahihirap," he said.

"You come here and you lecture me tapos sabihin mo set up clinics and give them free shabu, cocaine, heroin," he added.

The President had scored the EU last March for allegedly suggesting that the Philippines set up clinics that offer "drug fix" to dependents.

The EU had denied making such a suggestion.

The Philippines told the EU that it will no longer accept development aid from the foreign body.

The move came a couple of months after the EU Parliament, the lawmaking body of the 28-country regional bloc, adopted a resolution calling for the immediate release of Senator Leila De Lima and a probe into alleged extrajudicial killings in the country in light of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. —ALG, GMA News