Duterte: ‘The Philippines could be the next Mexico if drug persists’

This was the warning issued by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte when he spoke before two chapters of JCI International at the Tramway Bayview Buffet Sunday evening.

Duterte was referring to the increasing threat from illegal drug syndicates in the country which has chilling similarities to the Mexican experience.

Mexican drug syndicates have become so powerful they engaged the government in a bloody war that has claimed the lives of thousands.

“We have the same temperament, even the same patrons,” he added, noting the heavy influence of the Roman Catholic church in the two countries.

The tough-talking mayor is the lone voice among the perceived presidentiables who is focused on illegal drugs and crime. It is understandable.

Davao City was the virtual murder capital of the country in the 80s. Many traders fled the city during those violent years where the city lost 410 policemen, soldiers and militiamen.

Under Duterte, the city was transformed from a virtual killing field into the country’s safest city.

Davao also blossomed into the country’s fifth biggest economy among cities and the only one outside Metro Manila.

Duterte has consistently warned against the proliferation of the drug problem.

When asked to comment on the last state of the nation address of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Duterte lamented that there was no mention of the drug problem.

“Ask any mayor you know what is his problem and he will tell you ‘drugs,’” Duterte said, citing his conversations with local executives in many parts of the country..

The mayor has pointed to the magnitude of the problem as one of the reasons why he is hedging on a presidential run.

“There are now three million drug addicts in the country,” he declared as a creeping silence affirmed his estimates.

Duterte warned that if, by some twist of fate or destiny he becomes president, there will be bloodshed.

He noted that if there are three million addicts, there could be as much as 3,000 drug pushers.

“This will keep me busy killing these idiots in the next six years,” he disclosed, drawing laughter from his audience.

“Pag ako, madugo talaga yan, uubusin ko talaga (If I’m there, it will be bloody because I’ll really finish them off,) he declared to thunderous applause and cheers.

The mayor spoke before the joint meeting of the Alabang and Ortigas chapters which was also attended by Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy and Dagupan Vice Mayor Brian Lim.

Dy is the JCI vice president for East Asia and the Pacific while Lim is the national president.

Just like his other engagements, Duterte had to accommodate photo-ops, selfies and groupies before and after his speech.

Duterte has maintained he is not interested in the presidency. Like his experience in previous engagements, the expressions of many of those in his audience Sunday showed they think otherwise.

In spite of his protestations, the list of those who think Duterte is what the country needs at this time is simply growing by the day. (CHITO A. FUENTES)

Duterte: ‘The Philippines could be the next Mexico if drug persists’ by Chito Fuentes