Philippines needs freedom from drugs, graft – Duterte

KAWIT, Cavite, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday cited the need to liberate the Philippines from social ills like illegal drugs, corruption and crime.

Filipinos’ forebears fought for the country’s sovereignty and freedom, but the nation continues to “face enemies that attack from within,” he said during the first Independence Day celebration he led since assuming office in 2016.

“This time, we face the modern challenges of poverty, corruption, environmental degradation, terrorism, criminality and illegal drugs,” he said. “I have made it my personal mission to rid our nation of these ills, but I cannot do it alone. At this crucial juncture in our history, we need to draw strength from the lessons of our past to ensure that these ills do not cause any more damage to our future.”

On illegal drugs, Duterte stressed that he is ready to kill those involved in the narcotics trade, a problem he described as “very serious.” 

“Drugs will destroy my country. Do not do it because I will destroy you. Literally,” the President said. “Do not destroy the youth of this land. That’s our capital.”

He lamented that some people are destroying lives “in the name of the altar of greed.”

“And then you will cite human rights? That will be difficult. You impeach me or kill me. But I won’t allow it to remain that way... You just pinpoint the ones I killed? That’s the numbers?” he said, referring to allegations that his war on drugs violates human rights and encourages extrajudicial killings. 

“What ails this nation? Numbers. The ones I killed? What is behind that? How many families were destroyed?” the President stressed.

He also noted that he remains committed to curbing corruption in government, citing the number of officials he has dismissed for alleged irregularities. 

“I have fired so many and will continue to fire everybody... This is not a political – it’s a lesson of history. I’ve been trying to say it,” he added. 

The President also reiterated his promise to talk to communist and Moro rebels to put an end to the country’s insurgency problem. 

He said he has invited Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison to come home to join the peace talks. 

“This I will guarantee to those from the Left. If the talks... with the Communist Party of the Philippines (do not succeed), I will keep my word, word of honor, I will bring Maria Sison to the airport,” Duterte said. “Now as to his coming back, that’s out of the question. Because he has cases. That’s what I will do. I’m willing to walk the extra mile to have peace in our land.”

Duterte also expressed hopes that the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which seeks to create a new Bangsamoro political entity with enhanced autonomy, would be passed by Congress. 

Yesterday’s ceremony in Kawit, Cavite – where former president Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain – was the first Independence Day celebration he attended as President. He skipped last year’s celebration because he was not feeling well. 

In Rizal Park in Manila, Vice President Leni Robredo called on Filipinos to fight for their hard-won freedom every day amid continued threats to their rights. It was the second time she led the Independence Day celebration since her election to office.

“Those who came before us fought hard for the rights that we are enjoying now. We have the obligation to continue fighting for it,” she said.

Robredo said the country’s independence appears to be under threat, citing the persistent problem of poverty, the spiraling prices of basic commodities, the disregard of human rights and invasion of foreign countries on Philippine territories.

“The Filipinos I know are the Filipinos who stand firm to fight for the country’s freedom,” she said.

Leaders and members of both chambers of Congress called on Filipinos to continue defending the country’s independence amid threats to its sovereignty and issues on human rights.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Philippine independence “has never been stronger,” noting that the Duterte administration continues to wean the country away from traditional allies and expand its economic ties to other nations.

“Now that globalization is in full swing and we are friendly with other trading global partners, change is inevitable. Our people’s pride and love for country has never waned and we take the last line of our national anthem to heart,” Sotto said.

Citing the unequal growth of regions, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said Filipinos should continue contributing to nation-building as independence is just the first step to improving the quality of life of the people.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he believes “the courageous spirit of the revolution lives on in the hearts and minds of patriotic citizens who refuse to relent in the pursuit of liberty, justice and prosperity for all Filipinos.” – With Helen Flores, Paolo Romero, Marvin Sy, Delon Porcalla, Pia Lee-Brago, Evelyn Macairan, Rey Galupo