Duterte to soldiers: ‘I am calling you to be policemen’

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, September 27, that soldiers should assume police powers to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) fight the war on drugs.

“Actually, when I said ‘I am calling the Armed Forces to assist you,’ I am now calling you to be policemen also to fight the drugs. That is what it means actually, simply stated,” Duterte said in a speech before the Philippine Marines on Tuesday night. 

“You’ll have to change your paradigm,” Duterte added.

In front of the Marines, Duterte highlighted the enormity of the country’s drugs problem. He was in Arayat, Pampanga earlier on Tuesday to inspect an abandoned shabu laboratory.

“Kabado ako dito (I am nervous) because of the enormity [of the problem] and the widespread contamination of the country. How can I solve this problem?” the President said.

Duterte has repeatedly called on the troops to assist the police but it was not clear how he wanted soldiers to assist.

The military earlier said it was willing to open its camps to host drug rehabilitation centers.

The PNP leads Duterte’s war on drugs, a campaign that has been linked to more than 3,000 deaths. It is reminiscent of the bloody war on criminality in Davao City when Duterte was also mayor.

“Out of all the candidates, hindi ako magyayabang dito (I am not boasting here), I was the most prepared to deal with the problem. Mabuti talaga ako nanalo (It’s a good thing that I won),” said Duterte, who is expecting more surrenderers at the end of the year. 

Duterte also dismissed international criticism against the alleged human rights violations committed in the war on drugs, singling out the United States for calling out his campaign. (READ: Obama to Duterte: Fight crime, terror ‘the right way’)

“There is no law in my country which says I cannot threaten criminals and wrongdoers. It’s not a crime in my country. Why would you make it a crime or wrong in your forum. ‘Yan ang ayaw ko sa Amerikano (That is what I don’t like about the Americans),” the President said.  

Duterte insinuated that the superpower had something to do with the depreciation of the Philippine peso. 

“Ina-undermine tayo ng Amerikano (The Americans are undermining us). They are manipulating… Ang peso raw bumaba (They say the peso has gone down),” said Duterte. (READ: PH stocks continue to sink, peso slightly recovers) – Rappler.com