DAVAO CITY (February 21)— President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the still missing businessman and alleged drug lord Peter Lim to commit suicide than surrender.
Lim is facing charges of Conspiracy To commit illegal drug trade.
Here is the transcript of the chance interview at the Palace Wednesday:
Q: Sir, what was your message to Peter Lim?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: I believe that Peter Lim is still active whether he is in or out of the Philippines we do not know that for sure.
But the network and the money laundering of Peter Lim is very much alive. So I’m just reiterating my warning here na this drug problem is a national security threat. Meaning to say it can destroy the Philippines. And the orders are: destroy the enemy.
Q: Sir, when you said “harsher” drug war — harsher drug war…?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: A drug war is a drug war.
Q: You said, “harsher in the coming days.” What did you mean by that?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Yes, of course it’s a war. I’m not ordering the Armed Forces or the Police just to do a punitive police action or operation. That is not war.
Q: Sir, you warned Peter Lim earlier not to surrender alive.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Yes.
Q: Why is that, sir? Paano sir ‘yon? Sabi niyo “you should commit suicide” sabi nyo po sa kanya?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Oo kasi ikukulong ko siya ng 200 years. Eh di ako sa kanya magpakulong — mag-suicide na lang siya.
Q: Sir, ano po ‘yung form nung more aggressive…?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Basta sinabi ko sa inyo do not f*** with my country about drugs. You will destroy my country and I will kill you.
Q: Sir…
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: I could not be more emphatic and be clearer about it. Huwag ‘yang droga because it is an enemy which can cause destruction of a country or we render it a failed state.
Q: Sir, ‘yon pong sabi niyo it’s not just punitive action from the police, ano pong form ‘yung makikita natin in the coming days with regard to the drug war? Paano?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Basta sinabi ko I’m declaring war and I’ve raised it to the level of a national security.
When a national security threat it’s a game of self-preservation. Either I destroy you or you destroy me.
Q: Sir, ano ‘yung PRESIDENT DUTERTE: Since I am the President then it behooves upon me to see to it that my country is safe.
Q: Sir, ano ‘yung i-expect natin sa “harsher drug war” ninyo? Are we expecting more operations, more arrests?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: War.
Q: More arrests, more… Ano po?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: A war. A war can take many forms. You just read the wars in the news — in the history books.
Q: Sir, is it going to be bloodier?
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: I think so.
Duterte said the country’s drugs war continues as he vowed to protect the citizens of the republic against the dangers of illegal drugs.-Editha Z. Caduaya/NewsLine.ph
