Duterte extends ‘war on drugs’ until 2022

MANILA, Philippines — After asking for a six-month extension, President Rodrigo Duterte announced early Monday that the deadly war on drugs will last until 2022.

“I will extend it to the last day of my term, wala na ‘yung March,” Duterte said in a late night press briefing in Malacañan.

The president already asked for an extension last September 2016 after realizing how big the country’s problem is since assuming the post in June.

During the campaign period, Duterte vowed to end illegal drugs and crime within three to six months.

The notorious drive already claimed more than 2,000 lives in legitimate operations, but the actual numbers have already reached 6,000 including the vigilante-style killings.

The war against illegal drugs is now on phase two targeting big personalities, including government officials and police generals.

It started from the barangay level where the Philippine National Police launched “Oplan Tokhang” (knock and plead) asking drug personalities on their list to stop their illegal activities or face consequences.

Duterte was criticized by local and international communities for the rising number of deaths, but the feisty president has no plans of backing down.

The president's term is until 2022.