MANILA, Philippines - After surviving an impeachment attempt, President Duterte yesterday resorted anew to cussing to show his anger at the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country and again admitted that he would “kill all those involved in it.”
Duterte, who behaved well when he attended the One Belt, One Road forum and held bilateral meetings with leaders in Beijing, reverted to his tough image and rough language during his speech at the inauguration of the Governor Miranda Bridge II in Tagum City in Davao del Norte.
He recalled his father’s heyday as mayor of “One Davao” before politicians divided the province and created their own bailiwicks.
Unlike his father who could not even harm a rat, Duterte admitted that he had killed people, especially those involved in illegal drugs.
“Ang hindi ko nakuha sa tatay ko yung pagka pasensyoso. Yung tatay ko kasi hindi pumapatay yun maski daga. Sa panahon ko, hindi daga ang pinapatay ko. Tao talaga, Putang Ina. Talagang matitigas ng ulo eh (What I did not get from my father was his being patient. My father couldn’t even kill a rat. In my time, I don’t kill rat. I kill people. Son of a bitch. They are so hard headed),” he said.
He said he hopes to eradicate all drug personalities in three years to give the next generation a better future, adding that he is just being “true to my oath of office.”
Apart from peace and order, Duterte said he has been busy about governance, improving public works, and focusing on health and public safety.
“More than public infrastructure which we wish our children can put to good use… Why am I here?… because I am interested in the future generation… sandali lang ang turnover (turn over is quick), this earth is five billion years old.”
Duterte, 72, noted that he is already at retirement age and it will not take long before he leaves this world.
“Lahat kayo retiring age na. Kung ano sakit ko, sakit mo din ngayon. Puede tayo palitan ng medisina, ‘wag na yung condom kasi wala ng silbi yan. Viagra pa (All of us are at retirement age. Whatever is my illness is yours too. We can swap medicine, not condoms because they’re useless… maybe Viagra),” he joked.
Duterte again recited a litany of reasons he shuns illegal drugs, corruption in government and the propensity of oligarchs to abuse people and government.