Duterte’s next target: Illegal recruiters
President Duterte has stepped up government efforts to clamp down on groups behind the illegal recruitment of Filipinos and cited the need to strengthen law enforcement and immigration rules to thwart their operation.
The President directed the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNPCIDG) and the National Bureau
of Investigation (NBI) to “make the rounds” and pursue illegal recruiters.
He noted that illegal recruitment must be included in the PNP’s priorities, apart from running after “riding-intandem” killers, car thieves, and kidnappers.
“Human trafficking is a serious problem that transcends borders. Therefore, we all have a responsibility in making sure that this battle is won,” he said.
“Not only are they slaves in the truest sense of the word, but also they are sexual slaves… They are tied to the bondage of slavery for all of their lives – no longer connected with their families, totally lost, and they are there as slaves,” he added.
The Chief Executive admitted that illegal drugs and human trafficking are the two major issues that will naturally bring out the worst in him.
He said he becomes angry and “unforgiving” in running after groups behind the illegal drug operations as well as in the illegal recruitment of Filipinos.
“I have been declaring war against drugs and against illegal recruiters. You know, if you try to bring the worst in me as a human being, try these crimes and you would really see the worst person in this planet. And I like it – being the worst person,” Duterte said during the launch of the anti-human trafficking campaign in Pasay City last Wednesday.
“I am unforgiving especially against drugs and slavery,” said the former Davao City mayor.
On fighting illegal drugs, the President reaffirmed his vow to destroy the drug apparatus that he said threatens to destroy the nation. He said shabu operations have become a 1216-billion industry every year with the “poor people subsidizing” the industry.
He launched another tirade against foreign entities critical of his war on drugs, saying they immediately assume the casualties are supposed victims of extrajudicial killings.
“What is really worse is that they only count the victims who are killed, not even sure of whether it is true or not because nowadays, when you lie flat on the pavement, on the cement, they would just assume that you are a victim of extrajudicial killing,” he said.
“That is what makes my mouth very bad. I really do it on purpose. Binabastos ko sila. You know why? When you do that, it is always a derogation of the sovereignty of my country,” he added.