Convince addicts to stop using drugs, Duterte tells human rights groups

Instead of investigating the Philippine government for human rights violations, rights groups should focus on talking drug users out of their addiction, President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday.

In his weekly address, Duterte once again lashed out at human rights groups who have long been critical of his administration’s bloody war on drugs.

“It (the drug trade) is so organized. Talagang may mga factory na sila kung saan saan. It’s a worldwide business. Kaya kayo, hoy mga p— ina kayong mga human rights, kung hindi man ninyo tinitingnan ‘yan… bigyan ko kayo ng kopya,” he said.

“Convince these people na nasa listahan to stop kasi sabihin mo, ‘Maghinto kayo, baka mamatay kayo.’ That is the proper way of doing things instead of going after us who are enforcing the law,” Duterte added.

In September, the United Nations human rights chief urged the Philippines to revoke policies that lead to drug war killings, which have become prevalent under the Duterte administration.

The Human Rights Watch, earlier sounded the alarm on drug war-related killings in the country, which it said increased amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the police conducted at least 2,946 anti-illegal drug operations from November 1 to 21 alone.

These resulted in 3,646 arrests, including 37 killings, as well as the recovery of 50.5 kilos of shabu and 11.7 kilos of marijuana with a street value of P345 million.

Duterte expressed renewed frustration at the country’s drug problem and emboldened his uniformed personnel to combat the illegal drug trade.

“Do not be afraid of the threats of the human rights [groups]... ‘Pag umatras ako, walang mangyayari sa Pilipinas sa panahon ko,” he said.

“Human rights [groups], you better look for another time… do not tinker with the drug problem in the Philippines. This is mine and mine alone.” -- BAP, GMA News