Duterte advises Philippine Navy to blow up drug smugglers’ vessels
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 14 Apr 2019 09:11:40 +0000
President Duterte the other day revealed that he has advised the Philippine Navy to just blow up vessels of drug smugglers, even if there are passengers aboard, using the seas of the country to carry out their illegal trade.
Duterte made the statement as cocaine packages have been found floating, or even discovered, on the country’s shores.
In a speech in Malaybalay, Bukidnon during the administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan proclamation rally, Duterte said that the floating cocaine packages are the handiwork of drug lords.
“Cocaine is what the rich people use. That’s expensive,” Duterte said.
“We have a suspicion why it is growing in numbers. But I advised the Navy that as long as it is smuggling, they should just blow up the vessels including the people aboard,” he added. “Just be quiet about it. If you blast a vessel, whether a boat or a ship, just whisper it to me,” he continued.
Last week, some 40 bricks of suspected cocaine weighing one kilo each were found floating on the coast of Burgos, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. The contraband was labeled “3B Bugatti” which was the same markings on the first batch of cocaine bricks floating on the waters of Siargao last February.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Jose Francisco Matugas has asked the Philippine Coast Guard to deploy at least one vessel in waters off Surigao del Norte to prevent a repeat of the dumping of millions of pesos worth of cocaine.
Last February, Duterte warned that his war on drugs will be much “harsher” and possibly even “bloodier” as his term approaches its midpoint.
“I will not allow my country to be destroyed by drugs. I don’t want my country to end up as a failed state,” he said. “I’m ready for hell, but I will never, never to preside over a nation that will deteriorate in my presence,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)