Duterte: No letup in war on drugs

The illegal drugs trade continues to grow and destroy the country, President Duterte said last Saturday as he renewed his resolve to combat the menace.

Apart from his effort to combat corruption in the bureaucracy, the President maintained that government efforts against the illegal drugs trade would be pursued without letup amid criticisms locally and overseas.

"I will deal with drugs because it is growing and they are destroying my country,” Duterte said before an assembly of gasoline station dealers in Davao City Saturday night.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently announced it was opening a preliminary examination into the alleged crimes committed in the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

The court intends to determine if the supposed crimes fall into its jurisdiction before launching a full probe.

President Duterte, however, remained unperturbed by the international probe, and even offered to argue his case before the ICC prosecutor.

In case the court finds him guilty, Duterte said he was ready to die for the country via a firing squad like national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

At the convention of the Petron Dealers Association (PETDA) in Davao City, the President also reaffirmed his commitment to combat corruption, which he said was pulling down the country.

“I will deal with corruption. So I am fulfilling number one, ginagawa ko na [I'm doing it]," he said.