President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Speech

PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE’ SPEECH

DURING THE RELAUNCHING OF PRESS BRIEFING ROOM

3/F, New Executive Building, Malacanang

October 12, 2017

The Executive Secretary, Salvador Medialdea; PCOO Secretary Ruperto Martin Andanar and the other members of the Cabinet; former Press Secretaries; nandito pala si Commissioner Dulay; mga kasama ko sa gobyerno; mga minamahal at ang hindi ko minamahal na kababayan ko, marami din kayo.(laughter)—

Kindly sit down. Thank you, thank you for the courtesy.

This is the first time that I have visited this room or any other room for a press briefing actually. I’m not up to it, iyong regular briefing, but if you want, I’ll just say a few words, maybe—sinong gumawa nito, three pages? (laughter)

I am happy to be with you today as we introduce the new improvements in our press briefing room. This represents this administration’s firm desire to reach out and effectively communicate with our people. It is my sincere hope that the state of the art equipment and the newly elected refurbished holding areas will serve as a reminder of our dedication to upgrade our state media and to keep it at par with international standards.

The new briefing room also exemplifies our government’s commitment to uphold the freedom that these halls represent. After all, it is through these halls that the press and the government engage to be able to present to our people the real state of the nation.

To my fellow workers in government especially those who form part of the Communications Office, I enjoin you to remain committed to your duty in upholding the truth at all times. Never exaggerate, never misinterpret, never agitate as you communicate our platform of governance. In other words, do not be arrogant.

In the same vein, I call on upon our friends from media to remain committed to the truth at all times; never, never lie, because we are not up to it anyway. Never confuse your search for answers with the need to engage the public to a sensationalize news and over publicized political propaganda. There are so many things which I have been tempted in the past to blurt it out. But for reasons of public interests and maybe, the prevailing sentiments, hinayaan ko na lang muna.

Anyway, at the end of the day, lalabas naman ang totoo. So, I’m just hoping that developments will come our way that would need an answer from me or from the staff and we’d be able express the truth. There are truths which cannot be divulged, just because it is the truth. It’s always a thing that awaits at the appropriate time.

Marami akong gustong sabihin, but iyong nagtiklop ako— because I think, it— not be for the best interest of the country especially when everybody gets a go, go, iyong mga— whether sensationalize or not. But if you are a journalist of significance and a little more thorough investigation, makikita ninyo iyong totoo.

But as you’d wonder why, sabi ko, maybe it not would be the right time for the truth. You know, God sees the truth, but waits. So ganoon lang.

Indeed, as we enter into a new chapter of our nation’s history we need to foster a more vibrant relationship between government and the press.

The role of the media is vital and we are successfully—if we are to successfully educate our people about the much needed constitutional reforms that would lead to a more responsive federal parliamentary form of government that welcomes foreign investments as a catalyst for economic growth.

Let me just dwell on these two words, federal and parliamentary.

I am not threatening anybody, I would be the last person to do that. I would not want to strike fear in everybody’s mind because nobody wants it. At this time, it’s for garbage; it is susceptible to almost equivocal interplay of words.

The press will also play an important role in the dissemination of accurate information on the games that—on the gains that we reaping for our country’s successful chairmanship of ASEAN, our improved relationship with our neighbors and our role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Let me just dwell on the parliamentary type. I can just imagine if what happened in Marawi would have happened to about three or four cities in the Philippines. You might want to—this is an open secret anyway among the military and the police that if this were to happen simultaneous in three big cities or four. It could be Basilan, Zamboanga, Cagayan, Davao and Cotabato.

And about one or two in the Visayas and— I don’t think they have this modus vivendi with the enemy, but if the reds would finally do it; then, they are now in alignment with the reds—the terrorist and the— itong droga. I think, this country would go into shambles. Alam ninyo iyan, maski dalawa lang.

So we’re trying our best just to keep silent and I have to build a strong army and the police; not to perpetuate myself, I don’t need it. That’s a last thing that—napaka-corny niyan. I find even the thought of just mentioning it an idiotic thing. It has something to do with my country and how it would travel for the years safe and sound.

But there are challenges ahead, threats that could come our way after I shall have stepped down. If this will continue for another time, this will continue to bug our children and grandchildren. If not, if we cannot control it on time, I’m sorry but this is the reality. Not the reality of the Duterte administration but the reality of the problems confronting our country today.

Gusto ko lang malaman ninyo na huwag na muna ako diyan sa mga criticism, sa mga Trillanes thing, itong mga yellow, itong mga reds. I would be happy really if they will start to merge into one command. Itong mga komunista at itong Liberal at ito iyong iba na gustong paalisin ako, mag-isa-isa na lang kayo, isang grupo. I think you share the same ideological whatever, para hindi na masyadong magkalat ang ano, we can focus on all of you.

This is no threat, I said, it is my mandated duty to keep this country safe and sound and the only way I can do it is I have to build a strong army and police. And we will be getting the arms that the other nations have donated. I do not want to keep it a secret. They want to but I don’t like the idea because we must know that— who are nations who are helping us.

China gave us the much needed plus two shipments and we have now arms that can arm the ones that are training now. I want about five SAF police units to do the challenges sa urban terrorism. It has totally changed the landscape of fighting; hindi kagaya noon that we have only to deal with them in the mountain ranges and in the grass lands and a few urban areas, iyong mga barangay-barangay.

Now if you are a keen interest or that keen interest to observe, you might want to look at the destruction of the Middle East. Mosul, Aleppo and the rest took the—for the longest time fighting almost two years. Mosul, Allepo and the rest took the—for the longest time fighting almost two years. And in Marawi, you’d notice that we are into the fourth month. Maybe, there’s a failure somewhere but I don’t look for mistakes. It is there already, it has happened, so what’s the use of flogging a dead horse. And so, Ivowed that we would never be, you know, caught in a same situations of unpreparedness.

But really this thing is—it has changed the dimension of the doctrines of war that’s being adapted by the Republic of the Philippines’ Armed Forces. Ito iyong building for building, and if they go inside first or capture the place and there’s a lot of buildings, it would be just like in Syria and Iraq. Ang awayan nito building for building and there’s the natural cover of concrete and iron, so mahirapan talaga.

They are positioned appropriately and they are just waiting for the troops to move in, with all the IEDs planted everywhere. Our heaviest casualty was not the confrontational, face to face. Masyadong mahusay ang mga sundalo natin diyan especially itong mga bata, itong mga scout rangers na bata. They’re only mga 20,21,22 and they can move with agility. Problem is they have to crawl and while crawling, there are a lot of pressure agitated— Ang marami nating patay, IED, sunog talaga iyong katawan, I’m sorry to say it in public— at sa sniping. So you would need rockets and everything there which we do not have right now.

Russia has— kailan iyon? 25? And I think it would be on a ship. I told them that if they could just leave via Philippine Airlines, bigyan ko na lang sila ticket, iwan na lang nila iyong barko nila. (laughter) They will deliver the arms, I am not at liberty to say how many and—but it would be enough to start to the strong thrust and over the years, at least, a minimum of safety in the—especially in the Mindanao area.

In the Mindanao area, ganito iyan, and this is my take and I would say, everybody’s take. The MI pati MN has hanging on the reins of their horses. They are cooperating with government, fighting alongside with government forces. But they are hoping that what they had been asking for the centuries will be given.

If we fail to come up with a reasonable counter proposal, then I assure you that there will be fighting everywhere in Mindanao for then, the mainstream rebel groups would now be joining with the extremist groups.

Now, we are on one side and Misuari has remained neutral but some of the rogue members are there fighting. But fundamentally, they are waiting for the word of Hashim Salamat and Nur Misuari. But if their common determination, the dream is—ends in a failure or a disappointment, magkaisa itong lahat against the Republic of the Philippines.

And I have it in good authority that they will declare an independence, they will declare an independent Mindanao. Remember that there are more Christians than the Muslim populations, but that’s not the point. The point is we are not ready to embark on another war again, this time on a large scale throughout Mindanao, I just know what will happen.

In the meantime, I have to talk patiently with Secretary Dureza. Every time Murad is there, Secretary is there, every time Nur Misuari is there with me in Davao. Secretary Jess Dureza is also there but he knows deep in his heart and we fear the same challenge and that would be—I hope it would not end in a fissure na magkahiwalay ang Mindanao. Because then, if there is a status of belligerence given to them, then it becomes very, very, very serious for all of us.

It’s not the politicking dito, that’s none. They will disappear overnight. Wala iyang CIA funded ganoon na mga NED, Rappler, iyong mga ganoon. And the Americans will realize to their sorrow that they have been too myopic in this thing.

Now, the recent event is, magulo man kaya itong marami, I have issued the—do you have a copy of that? Executive Order? Or have I released it to them already? Ang utos ko lahat na lang ng mga civilian, bigyan nila ng armas, kayo na ang makipag-away sa mga durugista because I need the soldiers in another front. Each citizen is now given the right to bear arms just like in America and shoot the drug people. Would that be alright with you? Ha? Ayaw ninyo?(audience replied: “Ayaw”) Ayaw.

Pagka duwag ang tao, you—like sacrificial lamb, it’s a memorandum from me to address to all concern. Bantayan ninyo ito ha? Because hindi ko sabihin sa inyo. And the truth will come out.

“Implementation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, date 10 October 2017— that was yesterday? The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was created pursuant to Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 22 [sic] 2002 in order to safeguard the integrity of its state territory and the well-being of the citizenry, particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs in their physical and mental well-being.

Okay iyan? So, you are now learning. (laughter) Among others, the PDEA—listen very carefully because this would—to your chagrin—I assure you.

“Among others, the PDEA is mandated, empowered and authorized to undertake the enforcement of the provisions of Article II of this Act, relative with unlawful acts and penalties involve, any dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical, and investigate all violations and all other matters involved in the commission of any crime related to the use, abuse or trafficking of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical as provided for in this Act and the provisions of Presidential Decree Number 1619.”

Is this okay? (audience replied: “Yes”)Nice to hear? Okay.

“Monitor and if warranted by circumstances, in coordination with the Philippine Postal Office and Bureau of Customs, inspect all air cargo packages, parcels and mails in the central post office, which appear from the package and address itself to be a possible importation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals, through online and cybershops, via internet or cyberspace.”

Okay iyan? Okay na! [laughter].

“RA 9165 further mandates that while it—” “RA 9165 shall not mean to be a diminution of the investigative powers of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police on all crimes as provided in their respective organic laws, the law however specifically provides that, when the investigation being conducted by the NBI, PNP or any ad hoc anti-drug task force is found to be a violation of any of the provisions of this Act, the PDEA shall be the lead agency and the NBI, PNP or any other task force shall immediately transfer the same to the PDEA.”

Lipat nila lahat.

“Pursuant to the afore quoted provisions of RA 9165, and in order to bring order to the operation/campaign against illegal drugs, thus pinpointing precise accountability, I hereby direct the NBI, PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Postal Office and all other agencies or any and all ad hoc anti-drug task force to leave to the PDEA, as sole agency, to conduct all campaigns and operations against all those who directly, or indirectly, and in whatever manner or capacity are involved in or connected with, illegal drugs.” “All information received by the NBI, PNP, AFP, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Postal Office and other agencies or any and all ad hoc anti-drug task forces shall forthwith be relayed, delivered and brought to the attention of the PDEA for its appropriate action. The PNP shal at all times, maintain police visibility, as a deterrent to illegal drug activities leaving to the PDEA however the conduct of anti-drug operations as afore stated.” “Strict compliance is enjoined.”

Is this good? [audiencereplied:” Yes”) (laughter) Bright talaga kayo.

Well, tingnan natin. PDEA lang, wala nang iba. And I will again reiterate, umalis kayong lahat. Ibigay ninyo sa PDEA, and let us see what happens. But me, I am not interested anymore in using any other, hayaan mo ang PDEA. I will not comment, basta sinabi ko, mukhang yan ang gusto ng—

Gusto ko lang, as a last word, maybe this will suffice for the stupid European Union guys.

You know, they were all focused on how many deaths. They say, it’s 3,000. Mine in Davao during my 23 years, I’d admit about 600, all done in a police operation, police work. Sabi nila— ilagay na natin 10,000!

Anong figures mo, Bong sa—

And they threatened us, I said that they will have us expelled from the UN. My God, do it, stupid! Do it now! Because by just reading the victims or at least, the persons killed in police operations and others who were murdered by other drug cartel, I’ve told you that the drug operations in Southeast Asia is being now controlled by the Bamboo Triad. I’d just like to say that— of— iyong killed in police operation, I lost, when I became President, 147 men sa pulis.

Remember in Marawi, it started with a drug bust. They were there to implement a warrant of arrest in connection with the drug problem. Wounded in police operations, drug-related, 449. Diyan oh—nandiyan sa AFP ngayon. And others, 180.

AFP drug-related encounters, killed-in-action: 210. 5— 155; others, 52.

Sa Marawi casualties lang, and remember, it was because of a drug case. They were serving a warrant, namatayan ako sa Marawi, 153 soldiers. Wounded-in-action, 2,048.

PDEA killed one, one. Ang PDEA, walang patay. Konti lang, isa-isa lang. Wounded-in-action, dalawa. So ibigay natin sa PDEA kasi lesser ang patay eh. Dalawa lang o. (laughter) All figures on related casualties came from PDEA as of 11, 2017 except the AFP killed-in-action, which was sourced from the AFP’s spot reports, includes other enforcement, internal security organizations such as shooting incidents and encounters with the local terrorist groups.