The government is "still in the thick" of the campaign against illegal drug trade despite the reported reduction in the number of drug users in the country, President Duterte declared Monday.
Just like his no-mercy campaign against corruption, the President vowed that there would also be "no quarters given, no quarters asked" in the war on drugs.
"Walang pabor-pabor dito. No question that I am really mad. Galit ako sa droga. Kaya kung mamatay ka, kasi galit ako sa droga (There are no favors here. No question that I am really mad. I'm angry with drugs. If you die, it's because I'm angry with drugs," he said in his televised address.
Duterte said the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) reported that the country has around 1.67 million illegal drug users. He noted that the DDB reported that two out of one hundred Filipinos aged 10 to 69 are hooked on illegal drugs.
"In the past, ‘yung panahon nila (former police chief and now Senator Ronald) Dela Rosa, umabot ‘yan ng almost 4 million. And how much has been reduced in the use of shabu? I really do not know until now. But we are still in the thick of the fight against shabu," Duterte said.
Duterte, who launched a controversial war on drugs that drew human rights concerns, warned anew drug dealers against destroying the nation.
He said he grieves for Filipinos who have become addicted to illegal drugs due to "waste of life.” He said drug users become “indolent” and “laggards” since their minds have been destroyed by drugs.
"In the end, it will destroy the nation. If this is allowed to go on and on, and if no decisive action is taken against them, it will endanger the security of the state," he said.
Duterte also appealed to parents to look after their children and ensure they don't fall for illegal drugs. He said parents should take responsibility if ever their kids get involved with drugs.
"Parents should have also a shared responsibility. Dapat kayo rin ang masisi nito kung ang inyong anak pupunta na doon...Pinabayaan ninyo (You should also be blamed if your child gets involved with drugs. You neglected them)," he said.
"Check on your children always. Supervise, check. Kasi diyan ninyo mapaalagaan ang kapakanan ng anak ninyo," he added.