Duterte meets kin of teen who died at Sinulog party

President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he met with the family of a teenage girl in Cebu who reportedly died of drug overdose after attending a party during the Sinulog Festival last month.

Duterte was talking about the war on drugs in a speech before barangay officials in Legazpi City when he recalled his meeting with the family of 19-year-old Ashley Abad.

"Sabihin ko sa inyo ngayon and I’ve been repeating it all along. Do not destroy my country lalo na sa panahon ko. Do not destroy our children and our daughters," the President said.

"Kahapon 'yung kay Ashley, yung bata na namatay, [her] parents went there sa opisina ko. Kaganda ng bata, 19 years old, medical student. Ang human rights wala akong narinig sa mga p— inang. Ilang pamilya ‘yan matatamaan? Ilang tao sa isang pamilya?"

The President did not provide details of the meeting but according to Abad's family Duterte assured them that he would give justice for her death.

Abad allegedly ingested party drugs when she attended the Sinulog party on January 19. Her uncle, Benny Abad, however described Ashley as "sweet" and "God-fearing," making it impossible for them to believe that she was into illegal drugs.

Authorities earlier said they already have persons of interest in the death of the teenager, but refused to disclose their identities pending the result of the investigation. —Virgil Lopez/NB, GMA News