By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte is ready to face death by hanging or firing squad for his relentless campaign against the illegal drug trade.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he is prepared to deal with the consequences of his drug campaign as he renewed his threat to kill those who destroy the country.
“Sabihin mo somebody has to pay for it to answer for it. I'm willing to do it. You can put me to prison, just give me books to read. You can hang me, you can shoot me in a firing squad,” he said during the oath-taking of new government officials at the Palace last Tuesday.
Despite facing criticisms from human rights advocates, Duterte renewed his pledge to run after drug lords and their cohorts in government.
He lamented that the country has become narco-state, saying his “greatest enemy or opponent is not really opposition” but those in government engaged in corruption and other illegal activity.
“When it comes to my country, p**** i**, do not do it. Droga. Kayong mga durugista, mga drug lords, maaabutan ko rin kayo pareho kayo ni Parojinog. Talagang papatayin ko kayo ,” he said.
“Itaga mo kung saan mo itaga 'yan sa bayag mo o sa libingan ng nanay mo pati tatay mo. 'Pag inabutan kita, totodasin ko talaga. I said do not f*** with my country. I will kill you ,” he said.
The President also took another swipe at the human rights groups critical of his anti-drug crackdown. He lamented that they were counting only the drug suspects killed in the campaign, not the victims of these offenders.
“Here comes the human rights. Ang binibilang nila ang p**** i**** patay. Hindi na binibilang ‘yung mga pamilya na pinasok, ni-rape ‘yung nanay na bulag, ni-rape ‘yung asawa, ‘yung mo – daughter-in-law ,” he said.