PNP chief: Drug lords teaming up with ISIS, BIFF to kill me, Duterte

Drug lords are now teaming up with members of jihadist group ISIS and local group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to kill President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa.

"May mga drug lord na nagbabayad, umaabot na sa personalities sa ISIS at BIFF. Lumalapit na sila dahil nahihirapan na sila maghanap ng tirador. To the extent na roadside bomb, car bomb [na ang gagamitin]," Dela Rosa said in a press conference in Davao City on Tuesday.

Dela Rosa said he himself is also being targeted by the drug lords because of their intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

"Sa totoo lang they are now moving heaven and earth,” he said.

Dela Rosa said he has been receiving threats but quickly added that he is not afraid of them.

"Sanay naman tayo. Tatanggapin ko. I am ready to die anytime. Di ako takot mamatay. Di tayo natatakot diyan. Bahala sila," he said.

"Bahala na si Lord kung gusto niya mamatay na si Presidente, kung gusto niya mamatay na ako. He can take my life anytime. Wag kayong mag-alala hindi ako takot,” he added.

During the press conference, the tough-talking Dela Rosa reiterated their goal of neutralizing drug lords in the first six months of the Duterte administration.

“Sa isang region kailangan within six months maubos na yun lahat, mapa-surrender mo, ma-neutralize mo, basta maubos lahat.  Yung number of drug personalities sa kanilang lugar, dapat ma-neutralize. Either mapaaresto, surrender o mapatay sa drug operations. Dapat ma neutralize,” he said.

Asked on the number of drug lords still on the loose, Dela Rosa said: "Marami. Mga armado pa sila."

"Pero tingnan natin hanggang saan ang kaya nila at hanggang saan ang kaya natin," he added, stressing that there will be no let-up in their campaign against big-time drug syndicates.

Dela Rosa earlier said that drug lords have raised the bounty to kill him and Duterte from P10 million to P50 million. —Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News