Outgoing President Duterte is hoping that the next administration would continue his fight against illegal drugs, exert even "stronger pressure" against the perpetrators and make the campaign "a war."

In his public address on Thursday, Duterte said the country continues to suffer the drug problem so he "would insist on a continuance of the drug war."

"Hindi ito matatapos kasi sabi ko the lure of billions ang makukuha ng mga negosyante, mga trafficking, the drug lords (This will not stop because of the lure of millions that will be gotten by the businessmen, the traffickers and the drug lords)," he said, "Mahirap. Noon nga milyon milyon, ngayon bilyon bilyon na (It's hard. Before there were only millions. But now there are billions of drugs)."

"Kaya ito talaga, it has to be a war. Hindi ito sabihin mo special operation ng pulis or military (This one, it has to be war. You cannot say it's just a special operation of the police or the military). It cannot be because this thing is a very sinister and a virulent activity that would affect the life of the nation," he added.

Even when he already becomes a civilian, Duterte said he would continue his fight against illegal drugs by informing law enforcement authorities once he sees an activity.

He said he will tell the police or the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to do something because there is really a problem.

With his last days in the office, Duterte said he will not back down nor issue any apology with regard to his war on drugs that killed thousands.

"Basta ang akin, tama ang ginawa ko (For me, what I did was right)," he said.