Duterte vows to neutralize drug lords if he wins

MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is determined to neutralize half of the estimated 3,000 to 5,000 drug traffickers operating in the country during his presidency, his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said yesterday.

Speaking in his Sunday television program Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa, Duterte said the illegal drugs problem in the country has worsened to such a degree that it has become a threat to national security.

“In some places in the country, the drug menace has become so bad that drug users have resorted to paying for drugs not with cash but with goats and livestock,” Duterte said.

“In three to six months, everything has to stop. Corruption, drugs and criminality. You are oppressing the Filipinos, and I hate it,” Duterte added, referring to criminals.

Cayetano said his tandem with Duterte has a comprehensive plan and strategy as well as the political will to win the war against drugs.

Part of the strategy, he said, calls for the dual task of disciplining and improving the salaries and benefits of the police and other law enforcers.

“Under a Duterte-Cayetano government, minimum take-home pay for law enforcers will be at P50,000 to P60,000 plus allowances. We will also impose harsh punishment for corrupt law enforcers. We will leave no excuses for corruption nor sleeping on the job,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said they received reports that big drug syndicates based in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao have linked up to put up a united front against the Duterte-Cayetano tandem.

“We will not be cowed. We will hit them where it hurts the most. We will strike at the belly of the beast. We will bring the war to their doorsteps,” Cayetano said.

“For the sake of our families’ safety and the future of our children, Mayor Duterte and I will end this social menace. To our growing supporters, stay calm. Change is coming,” Cayetano added.

He said before Duterte entered the political picture, the issue of illegal drugs was not in the front and center of the electoral agenda.

“With Duterte running as president many look to him to end the country’s growing drug problem,” said Cayetano.

Duterte has proposed the repeal of Republic Act 9344 also known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act that actually creates a new breed of criminals in society.

Duterte said RA 9344, authored by former senator Francis Pangilinan, provides juvenile delinquents impunity to commit crimes.

“The Pangilinan law must be repealed because it has created a new breed of criminals,” Duterte said.  

The law basically allows minors to get away with any responsibility for any crime since it requires law enforcement agencies to turn them over to social services for rehabilitation.

The law exempts minor offenders aged 15 and below from any criminal liability.

Those above 15 up to 18 years old are made to undergo an examination by the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWD) to determine whether they committed the crime with discernment.

If the offender commits the crime with discernment, then they will be subjected to regular judicial proceedings. If not, then the offender will be referred again to social services for intervention and rehabilitation. –With Robertzon Ramirez, Marvin Sy, Edith Regalado