MANILA, Philippines-On Sunday, July 16, President Rodrigo Duterte said he is planning to talk with the Chinese government over the alleged involvement of several Chinese citizens in the illegal drugs trade in the Philippines. Duterte said he would question Chinese officials why so many of their citizens are dealing drugs in the country.
“When I come face to face with them, makinig kayo, sabihin ko talaga ang sama ng loob ko lahat sa kanila,” Duterte said during a fellowship dinner with his San Beda Law school batchmates held at the Malacañang Palace.
According to the 71-year-old President, he would raise his grievance to the superpower, in due time, once the “bigger” issues are settled. In the meantime, Duterte said he would exercise restraint.
“They’re cooking shabu, on-board sa ships. Tapos Chinese registry. At the proper time, ‘wag muna ngayon because let’s just say— bigger issue about… But magpakita ako ng restraint muna ngayon,” Duterte said.
In his speech, Duterte alleged that several Chinese citizens were killed during anti-drug police operations. He said most of the unclaimed corpses of alleged drug pushers are Chinese.
In his bid to eradicate crime and corruption within three to six months, Duterte identified three Chinese-Filipino drug lords supposedly involved in the underground trade. Peter Co, Peter Lim and Herbert Colangco were among those named by Duterte.
He added that there are other “persons of interest” including Chinese nationals, local officials as well as prison officials.
Duterte to Identify More Drug Personalities Soon
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar has announced Duterte’s plan to name “persons of interest” allegedly involved in illegal drug trade.
According to Andanar, a matrix from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reveals that at least 1.8 million people are linked to the drug menace.