Palace says drug war doesn't spare the rich after Duterte reveals the wealthy use drugs on yachts, planes

President Rodrigo Duterte's disclosure that wealthy people get away with doing illegal drugs in yachts and airplanes does not mean that the Duterte administration is sparing the rich in its bloody anti-drug war, the Palace said Tuesday.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles made the clarification after the President said that the presidential aspirant who uses cocaine gets away with using the prohibited substance because the wealthy do their illegal acts in the confines of their yachts and airplanes

"Hindi po [ito pagkunsinte sa mayayaman] (This is not sparing the wealthy). You can check with PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) that there were high value targets nabbed for violating our Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act," Nograles said.

Nograles then argued that the President's statement was a call on the public to be vigilant and report such illegal activities.

"Ipinapakita lang po ng kailangan ng cooperation ng publiko, na kung may nalalaman na information, inform the law enforcement agencies (The President's statement was a call on the public to cooperate and inform authorities, if they have information, on these illegal activities)," Nograles added.

While he refused to name the presidential aspirant who uses cocaine, Duterte has endorsed his long-time aide and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go who filed his certificate for candidacy for President in Eleksyon 2022, calling Go honest and diligent.

In addition, the President called presidential aspirant and former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. as a weak leader who has accomplished nothing to this name.

The President made the scathing attack even if Marcos, Jr.'s running mate is the Chief Executive's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Nograles, however, said it is normal for the Dutertes to support different aspirants since they belong to different political parties.

The elder Duterte belongs to Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) with Go, while Mayor Sara is the chair of Lakas-CMD.

"They belong to different political parties. In a political exercise, it is nothing but normal that there will be differences when it comes to candidates to support," Nograles said. —KG, GMA News