I will finish them off before end of my term – Duterte

The government is determined to run after six drug lords engaged in the illegal trade in Cagayan, Baguio, and Mountain Province, President Duterte announced on Tuesday.

Speaking at the administration campaign rally in Tuguegarao City, the President said he intends to finish off these big-time drug offenders in the remainder of his term.

"I have three years. Dito sa Cagayan, may mga anim pa dito na malaki tapos tutumbahin ko talaga ‘yan. Naglalaro ‘yan Baguio, Mountain Province [There are six big fishes in Cagayan and I intend to finish them off. They are plying their trade in Baguio and Mountain Province," he said in his remarks.

"Akala ninyo mas bright kayo sa gobyerno ha (You think you're smarter than the government?)” he said.

Duterte warned anew mayors, policemen,

and other government officials against getting involved in the narcotics trade.

He has threatened to target drug-linked government personnel first amid his relentless campaign against illegal drugs.

"Huwag kayong pumasok sa droga, p ***** i** anong pulis-pulis? Pulis… Banatan ko kayo. Huwag ninyo akong --- do not f*** with me. F*** somewhere else [Do not get involved in drugs. What police? I will hit you. Do not f*ck with me. F*ck somewhere else]," he said.

"Sinabi ko sa kanila, “P ***** i** ninyo. Hihiritan ko talaga kayo. Huwag mong sabihin mayor ka' [I told them, you son of a b*tch. I will really hit you. Don't tell me you're a mayor]," he said.

He said when he assumed the presidency in 2016, he discovered that he was fighting his own government in the anti-drug crackdown. At the time, he said several police generals and customs agents were involved in the illegal drug trade.

"Sabi ko ang kalaban ko bayan ko mismo. Pero sabi ko, sige lang. Inuna ko ‘yung mga pulis. P ***** i** maraming pulis na opisyal namatay na (I am fighting a war that involves people from the government but I said, go ahead. I targeted the police. Son of a b*tch, many police officials are now dead)," he said.