Duterte vows justice for Cebu party drug victim

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has vowed to give justice to a young medical student from Cebu who died of an overdose of suspected party drugs while attending a pre-Sinulog event last month.

Duterte expressed his concern over the death of 19-year-old Ashley Abad during his speech at the peace and order summit for local officials held in Albay last Friday. 

Abad died of drug overdose last Jan.19. She was reportedly with her friends and boyfriend, who have refused to cooperate with investigators to shed light on the incident.

The victim’s parents met the President at Malacañang last Thursday where they sought assistance.

“The parents of Ashley, the girl who died, went to my office. She was a beautiful child, only 19, a medical student,” he said in an attempt to illustrate how illegal drugs has ruined the lives of the youth.

Duterte lamented that he did not hear any statement from the Commission of Human Rights or any human rights activists fighting for justice on the girl’s death.   

Duterte has vented his ire against human rights groups that were vocal against his massive anti-drug campaign since he assumed office in 2016.  

Thousands of deaths of suspected drug suspects and users as well as alleged drug protectors were attributed to Duterte’s harsh campaign, bolstered by his public speeches ordering his policemen to kill those who “destroy my country” and the youth over the menace.

Duterte also mentioned the case of Abad in another speech before the oath-taking of appointed officials and diplomats last Thursday, wherein he went on a tirade anew against critics who raise the issue of respect for human rights every time a drug suspect is killed during police operations. 

“You better write your obituary to the human rights.You can go to hell for all I care,” the President said.

Duterte had vowed to stop the drug menace in his first six months in office but with the drug problem yet to be resolved after serving about two and a half years in office, he lamented that he learned too late that he was fighting his own government as regards his anti-drug war. 

The drug syndicates have penetrated many agencies of government, Duterte said, pointing to his issues with the Bureau of Customs, some ports and airports.

He also warned anew local officials and policemen against being involved in illegal drug activities.

“I am warning the mayors, local officials and so many police officers and even PDEA, don’t f**k with me, I will kill you – period,” he said, referring to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. 

The President reiterated his warning against those who get into the illegal drug trade and even the human rights advocates who have been ganging up on him because of the reported extrajudicial killings.

Duterte said he is not afraid to face anyone on the drug issue. – With Edith Regalado