By Argyll Geducos
President Duterte reiterated his warning to police officers to not get themselves involved with the illegal drug trade even if it offers them an easy way to improve in life.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (SIMEON CELI JR. / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte made the statement as he graced the premiere of the movie "Kontradiksyon" which talks about his war against illegal drugs.
In a speech Friday evening, Duterte said it would be better for the police to accept gifts rather than deal with illegal drugs.
"Ang deal natin, gratis okay lang, pero ptang in kung pumasok ka sa corruption babarilin kita (Our deal was, you can accept if it is gratis but I will shoot you if you go into illegal drugs)," he said.
"It’s either we kill each other or we work together," he added.
The President then renewed his appeal to the people to stop their illegal dealings while he is president, telling them they can resume if they want to after his term.
"Kung anong kaya mong gawin (If you can do it), I can do it better 100 times. so do not f*ck with me. Kapag sinabi kong 'wag, 'wag (When I say don't, don't)---corruption, drugs, criminality,"he said.
"Kontradiksyon" is a political action-thriller which tackles the administration's infamous drug war. It is directed by multi-Palanca award-winning writer and staunch Duterte supporter Njel de Mesa.
According to the summary posted on IMDb, the film shows the adverse effects of illegal drugs on the overall health of a person which tragically leads to a life of crime.
The film tells the story of Alexis Borlaza, a human rights activist who becomes an undercover drug enforcement agent but is actually a vigilante killer by night. To solve a brutal murder, he enlists the help of Jessica Puyat, a known drug user and pusher in the call centers and other "high-end" institutions.
This was not the first time that Duterte graced the premiere of a pro-government film. In January this year, the President attended the premiere night of the "Bato: The General Ronald Dela Rosa Story" which told the story of the country's former top cop and now senator.