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More deaths if barangay bets with drug ties win, Duterte warns

March 2, 2018 | 3:54pm

More deaths if barangay bets with drug ties win, Duterte warns

President Rodrigo Duterte chats with Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go and other Special Weapons and Tactics officials on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the National SWAT Challenge at the Team Davao Inc. Pistol and Rifle Range in Ma-a, Davao City on March 1, 2018.

Presidential photo / Joey Dalumpines

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte warned that there would be more deaths if people with ties to illegal drugs syndicates win in the upcoming barangay elections.

While acknowledging that Congress has the final say on whether the barangay polls would push through, Duterte reminded lawmakers that the drug problem in the country remains "very alive."

"I communicated. I told (presidential aide) Bong (Go), 'Tell them, Congress, it’s their choice. Hardly it’s ours.” If you provide input, many will (say)... 'that's the way it is, dictatorial, does not want to hold an election,'" Duterte said during the National Special Weapon and Tactics Challenge in Davao City.

"There are many bright people here in the Philippines... They think we are the only ones who are stupid. So I said: 'Hold the election, okay. That's your decision. But remember that the drug situation is still very, very alive and vicious," he added.

Duterte said people connected to the illegal drugs trade may join the barangay elections to be held in May.

"So kung manalo ‘yang mga barangay captains, na-back up ng drug money, eh panibagong away 'yan. Panibagong patayan na naman ‘yan. (If the barangay captains backed by drug money win, it would lead to conflict. It would result in more deaths)," the president said.

Duterte stressed that he would not allow officials to use their power to commit crimes.

"I'm not saying there would be no election or there would be an election. But I will never, never until the end of my term, to the last day, allow a government official to use his power or position as a platform to engage in criminality, especially drugs," the president said.

"I won't accept that. Let us be sure on that. Now if we work, let's help each other. Well, at the end of the day, just like now, when all questions have been asked, then I would say: “I take full responsibility,” he added.

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Duterte's allies in Congress are planning to railroad charter change discussions to prolong their terms. He said the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections would be moved to October to give them time to rush the proposed charter change and pass a provision extending their terms.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III has said that bills seeking to postpone the barangay polls are not likely to gain support in his chamber.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has denied that Malacañang is behind an effort to rush charter change and assured the public that there would be enough time to tackle all proposals.

Duterte has been advocating a shit to a federal type of government, saying it would spur development in far-flung areas and put an end to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao.