DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 1 June) – Even before he could assume the country’s highest post, President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte has offered P3 million to police officers who can capture dead or alive drug lords in the country.
In a press conference Tuesday evening at the “Malacañang of the South” within the compound of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 in Panacan, Duterte said he has sufficient funds that “could go as far as 100 persons dead.”
He did not specify whether the source of funds came from the excess in donations during election campaign but he mentioned that he would dispose of that money that was gathered during elections.
“There’s enough money left. I do not want to get hold of it for too long basta may pera hindi ko ninakaw… just before the election. Yan gamitin I will dispose of that money,” he said. “Sa election yun, bakit ko i-report hindi man yan sa kanila, hindi man yan sa akin. Gastuhin ko, bakit ko i-uwi.”
Duterte also offered P1 million bounty for every “manager” and P50,000 for others involved in drugs.
“I’m not saying that you kill them but the order is dead or alive,” he said.
He said that the police had been lectured to know when it is unlawful and lawful to kill criminals.
“Ang problema lang nila ganun kadali. They are lectured upon… when to kill and when not to kill, when it is legal to kill, unlawful to take another man’s life, dead or alive. Alam nila kung tumaas ang kamay. Pag lumaban, dead yan,” he said.
Incoming Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa told reporters that police will operate within the proper operational procedures to combat criminals.
“We assure the public that we, the police, will follow the police operational procedures. Hindi kami magpapa-disadvantage sa laban na ito. Dapat kriminal ang mamamatay,” he said.
Duterte said he does not want a policeman or agent killed in action but he will not spare them either if they themselves have their hands dipped in drugs and criminality, which are at the core of his platform that he promised to address within the first three to six months of his term.
He said that he will ask the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to join in battle against members of the PNP who are involved in illegal drugs.
“Para kung kayo mga police hindi kayo hulihin o general ka, tawagin ko yung private sa Army, barilin mo. Ganun lang ang paraan para mahinto ang droga,” he said. “Do not destroy my country because I will kill you. Do not destroy the youth of my land, our children because I will kill you,” he said.
Duterte said he will ask Congress to remove the provision granting criminals a probationary release.
“Yung mga durugista, alam mo ma-areglo. They have the quantity already. Tapos sabihin na lang, ‘ah sige plead guilty ka na lang para makalabas kana using the probation,” he said.