President Duterte slammed his critics who continued to attribute the different killings of alleged criminals to his administration, asking them if having fewer criminals in the country did not make them happy.
Duterte made the statement during his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 26.
In his speech, the President said people have been grateful that they can safely go outdoors without the constant fear of lawless elements lurking around.
"Malaki ang pasasalamat ng mga kababayan natin, lalo na silang sinasabi na mas panatag ang loob nila ngayon (The people have been grateful. They have been saying that they were more assured now)," he said.
"Hindi na nababahala ang mga magulang na lumalabas ang mga anak nila naglalakad sa gabi (Parents are no longer disturbed when their children are walking around at night)," he added.
Duterte explained that he wanted to make the streets safe for Filipinos as he has always hated hearing news of people getting robbed, or worse, getting raped or killed by people supposedly high on drugs.
He, however, lamented how critics only took notice of the deaths of supposed criminals, asking them if they were not happy with having fewer criminals on the streets.
"Hindi ba kayo maligaya 'yan wala nang kriminal (Are you not happy that there are no more criminals)?" Duterte asked.
"Ang problema nito ang nakikta nila ang patay na mga kriminal (The problem here is they only see the criminals who die). Well, how about the victims on the other side?" he added.
President Duterte urged his critics to take into consideration the innocent people who had to die because of criminals.
"Tignan mo dito ilan ang patay na inosente, pati pulis ko at sundalo namamatay diyan. Baka akala ninyo kriminal lang (Look at the number of innocent people who died. My police and soldiers die there. Perhaps you think only criminals were dying)," he said.
"Bakit hindi ninyo tignan (Why don't you look around) and see what these criminals have done to our children, to our wives, and daughters?" he added.