AFP urged to ‘crush’ illegal drugs, terrorism

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday renewed his call for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to “crush” illegal drugs and terrorism to ensure a safer country for the future generations of Filipinos.

During the 84th AFP anniversary at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the President vowed to take full responsibility for the consequences of his war on drugs and terrorism.

“Ang utos ko sa kanila, at pag sila’y lumaban, durugin para matapos na ang problema ng Pilipino (My order to them is that if they retaliate, crush them to end the problems of all Filipinos),” Duterte said in his speech.

Duterte tagged the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Abu Sayyaf as his “enemies,” saying they were responsible for wreaking havoc on the lives of many.

“Try to make this country as peaceful as it can ever be. Ako sa utos ko na ‘ yan na ubusin ninyo sila, sabihin ko sa inyo (My order to you is to finish them off ), time and again, I take full legal responsibility for it,” he added.

Duterte defended anew his drug war, saying he could not afford to have at least “onefourth of the population disoriented, insane because of drugs.”

He also acknowledged that illegal drugs remain to be a global problem that needed to be addressed.

“That is why I declared war. War is war. Itong droga (Drugs) is worldwide. It is not limited to any country which borders. It is almost seamless. At lahat nagdudusa (Everyone suffers),” Duterte said.

He also expressed hope that the AFP will fight corruption within