Baste Duterte: No order to kill drug suspects

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte has clarified that he did not order policemen to kill suspects when he declared a new war on drugs in the city. What he said was that he himself would kill the drug suspects, he clarified.

“Wala naman akong sinabi at inutusan. Ang sabi ko, ako ang papatay,” Duterte said in an interview aired over Sonshine Media Network on Thursday.

Seven suspects were killed since Duterte warned drug pushers that they would be killed if they would not leave the city. He declared a war on drugs during the turnover ceremony for the new city police chief on March 22.

Duterte said the premise of his statement to kill drug suspects was if he would find those who are selling illegal drugs.

”So far, wala pa naman akong nasasalubong, wala pa naman akong pinapatay,” he said.

The reported drug-related killings prompted the Commission on Human Rights to conduct an investigation into Davao City’s new drug war.

Seven policemen involved in anti-drug operations that resulted in deaths have been relieved.

When asked what he intends to do with politicians involved in the illegal drug trade, Duterte said he does not know any such persons. But he added, ”Kung ganon ka, patayin din kita.”

Duterte said he is willing to undergo drug testing, but only if he ”can bring another person,” whom he did not identify.

The mayor said the renewed campaign against illegal drugs in Davao was due to the resurgence of drug use.

“May problema sa droga, naturally mag-de-declare ka ng war on drugs,” he said.

Duterte said he talked with barangay officials and they expressed disappointment with what is happening in their areas.

He said the renewed war was not fueled by his desire to run for a higher position. “Hindi naman ako sira ulo na nagde-deklara  para pasikat lang. Hindi yan... may problema talaga,” Duterte said.