BY MENTIONING the close ties between a Davao businessman and the Chinese ambassador, President Rodrigo Duterte was merely absolving the businessman of allegations that he was involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Malacañang made the clarification on Friday, October 5, after Duterte was quoted as saying that he had warned businessman Michael Yang, owner of the Davao City Los Amigos stores in Mindanao, against illegal drugs.

"I think it's very clear that what the President meant to say was number one, he cannot believe that Michael Yang is involved in the drug trade," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a press conference Friday.

"And number two, because he was saying that he could not believe that Michael Yang is involved in the drug trade, the report that the President linked the Chinese ambassador to a drug lord is obviously false," he added.

READ: Duterte links Chinese envoy to rich 'drug addict'

Roque lamented that misinterpreting Duterte's remarks was "very dangerous" as "it could possibly endanger the bilateral relations between the Philippines and China."

"Parang may sinasabi na may bali-balita na involved si Michael Yang. Sinasabi niya na hindi ako naniniwala diyan (He's saying that there are reports that Michael Yang is involved in illegal drugs. He's saying he does not believe it)," he said.

During the press conference, Roque showed a video clip of Duterte talking about Yang and his close ties with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua in a speech before the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni on Thursday.

In his speech, the President said Yang even hosted Zhao in his home and was part of the entourage of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Duterte also bared that he issued a warning to Yang, who has been accused of being a "drug addict," about illegal drugs.

The President said he was unaware of Yang's real intentions, but warned the businessman that he does not protect those who are into illicit narcotics trade.

"Hindi ko talaga alam ang laro niyan. He could be... Sabihin mo, drug addict, ah drug pusher (I don't know his game. He could be, let's just say, drug addict or drug pusher)," he said.

"Sabi ko nga doon sa command conference, sabi ko na ano, 'Mag-negosyo ka dito?' Sabi ko, these are my exact words, 'P***** i** mo, do not f*** with drugs because I will bury you alive.' 'Yun talaga ang warning ko," Duterte added.

(I said during the command conference, I told him, "You'll put up a business here?" I said, these are my exact words, "Son of a b****.) (SunStar Philippines)