Duterte: I’m no Marcos

MANILA, Philippines – Criticized for his supposed lack of tolerance to any opposition, President Duterte allayed fears yesterday that he was trying to set up a dictatorship with his war against illegal drugs.

“I do not have plans to become a dictator,” the President said in a speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City where he met with overseas Filipino workers repatriated from Saudi Arabia.

“They say I am doing a Marcos. Far from it. I am just doing my duty. Or else I will compromise our next generation,” he added, referring to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos who was ousted during the 1986 People Power Revolution.  

Critics claimed Duterte’s tirades against those speaking against his drug war showed his dictatorial tendencies.

Duterte has denied this, saying he knows the limitations of his power. Officials also defended the President’s tough talk, explaining that it merely reflected his strong desire to cleanse the country of drugs.

Dutere warned that the Philippines would become a failed state if the drug problem remained unsolved.

“I don’t mind being wrong as long I am sure about the plight of Filipinos. I’d rather do that than be complacent,” Duterte said.

Duterte lashed out anew at the United Nations, which had spoken against his illegal drug crackdown due to the increasing incidents of extrajudicial killings.

“The United Nations is now running after me. Let’s just create our own (group). They are meddling with our affairs,” the President said.

“I have started this. I will end this. I don’t mind landing in jail as long as you visit me in Muntinlupa. Bring drugs so I can be addicted to them,” he joked, referring to the New Bilibid Prison in the Muntinlupa City.

Duterte is waging a “bloody” war to suppress the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country within six months. – With Alexis Romero