Presodent Rodrigo Duterte. MALACA脩ANG FILE PHOTO
President Duterte, who has waged a bloody war against illegal drugs, on Monday night said he would continue his fight against drug lords even as an ordinary citizen. During his weekly public address, the President said he would be happy to see drug lords 鈥渄ead than alive,鈥� reiterating that illegal drugs make the Philippines a 鈥渄ysfunctional鈥� society. 鈥淚 just hate drugs. President or not, I am really angry at you,鈥� Mr. Duterte said, referring to drug lords. 鈥淪o we can continue this fight even if I am already a civilian.鈥� The President鈥檚 statement came weeks after he admitted that he was unable to end the country鈥檚 drug problem, which he promised to rid in three to six months after taking office in June 2016. He said his self-imposed deadline was just a campaign 鈥渉ubris,鈥� adding that he was 鈥渞eally wrong鈥� with his promise. But on Monday night, he warned drug lords that 鈥淚 will forever remain your enemy, remember that.鈥� Mr. Duterte wants the incoming administration to also be unforgiving in its war against illegal drugs. 鈥淭hey should be able to kill the drug lords without mercy. Never mind human rights [groups]. They cannot help our country,鈥� he said.