President visits quake-hit towns

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte led the turnover of P5-million checks and food packs to the earthquakeaffected towns of M’lang and Arakan in Cotabato.

Right after the wreathlaying at Rizal Park here for the 123rd Rizal Day rite, the president immediately left to visit the evacuees.

“The previous days have been challenging, especially to my fellow

vigilante killings attributed to the drug war.

An irate President Duterte then ordered the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute. While analysts say that the withdrawal does not have impact on the investigation, it makes it harder to enforce if the country is uncooperative.

“Drugs will only cause us harm, drugs will only destroy the mind. It will affect especially the youth,” he said.

“And if you destroy the youth in this land, then you have effectively destroyed the nation. And if that’s the case, then it will be bloody,” he added.

The president urged the people to stray way from using drugs for it destroy lives, especially the youth.

“It hurts me when youth are engaged in drugs, or under the influence of drugs. The next generation is just around the corner,” he said. “Our social problem is the result of using drugs. Many Filipinos’ lives have been ruined because of drugs.”

“Drug users and dealers are not doing human rights, but only human wrongs. Having drug users and dealers around may ruin the country. Once again do not destroy my country, or else death will be knocking on your door,” he said.