Prove Duterte wrong on shabu hotbed claim — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday challenged Naga City officials to prove that their city is not a hotbed of shabu as claimed by President Duterte last week. 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the local government should take Duterte’s statement constructively by fighting the illegal drug trade. 

“If they think that the President was wrong...they should prove it,” Roque told a press briefing. 

“People from government should not be onion-skinned... The balm to wounded feelings is a clear conscience,” Roque said.

Last week, Duterte claimed that Naga, the hometown of Vice President Leni Robredo, is a hotbed of shabu to prove that she is not  capable of becoming president. 

The Naga City Council has expressed indignation over Duterte’s statement and challenged him to walk the city’s “safe, peaceful, and drug-free” streets.

Asked about the President’s basis for his statement, Roque said: “I can only say that he has access to all available information that only a President has access to.”

“If it is not a hotbed of shabu, then it’s not a hotbed of shabu. They should not be hurt if they know the truth. Baka naman bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ay huwag magalit (They should not be offended if it’s not true),” Roque said. 

Roque said the President need not show proof to substantiate his claim.

“He doesn’t have to do that. He already has access to information. He said it, let it be,” he said.

When reminded that the President once apologized to officials whose names were mistakenly placed on the drug watchlist, Roque said: “I think if he’s wrong, he will apologize. Until he does, he stands by it.”