Duterte offers reward for policemen tied to drugs
President Rodrigo Dutete has offered a P2-million bounty for policemen who are allegedly protecting illegal drug activities.
In a speech in Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Monday to commemorate Heroes Day, Duterte said he wants the police and military to destroy the drug apparatus in the country.
"I might be inclined to place a reward on their head, the members of the ninja or members of the police protecting the drug syndicates in this country. I am placing per head P2 million," Duterte said.
He said he could not just allow the war against drugs on the hands of the police.
Duterte said he has to tap the military. "You know, if the military will not do its part and leave it to the police alone, we cannot ever, ever suppress drug problem," he said.
"It has infected every nook and corner of this country involving generals, mayors, governors, barangay captains and so many of the ninjas, they call them. These are the police who are into it," Duterte said.
Duterte named over 150 judges, policemen, mayors and other government officials who were allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
He revealed that the Philippines has been a transshipment point of illegal drugs by many countries. "If I could just have the matrix here in front of you, then maybe you’ll start to believe in me," he said.
In an interview in Catbalogan, Samar where he attended the wake of a policeman killed in the illegal drugs operation, Duterte said he was informed that a couple suspected of being drug traffickers were shot dead in a port in Aklan province early Monday.
Melvin and Meriam Odicta had denied they involvement in illegal drugs last Thursday in a meeting with Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno.
Duterte said he could not say if the death of the Odictas was "good or bad," but he noted Melvin was wanted and "Number 1 drug lord." In jest, he asked who wanted to follow the Odictas.
About 2,000 people have been killed in the government's fight against illegal drugs. Most of the fatalities were allegedly victims of vigilantes. Celerina Monte-Emmanuel Tupas/DMS
