PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he could not blame hitmen who kill individuals linked to illegal drugs.
Speaking at the 10th Philippine Councilors' League held in Pasay City, the President said he would also do the same, especially when drug dependents put the life of the people at risk.
"I have many guns. If I were just a civilian, and you are lurking within the neighborhood, and my daughter is killed or raped or becomes a victim of drugs, I will be vigilant at you," Duterte said.
"I will be a vigilante. I will really kill you if the police cannot do anything, cannot control [the drug situation]," he added.
Duterte had given a green light for the return of the police anti-drug operations, following the reported increase of drug rate in the country when he ordered its suspension.
He, however, had said that only policemen who have good track records can join the drug war.
Lamenting that the drug menace was "choking us," the Chief Executive said he would not hesitate to kill drug personalities in the country.
He added that he already prepared himself "to go to jail, rot in there," as he is willing to assume full and legal responsibility over no-nonsense war on illegal drugs.
"Those of you who insist on doing druga here, kidnapping, I will kill you. That was my sloganeering and it has kept the peace up to this time," he said.
"If you are trying to destroy the Philippines, I would just have to kill you because you do not want to believe me. And if you continue with the drugs, same," he added.
A retired police officer has tagged Duterte as mastermind behind the so-called Davao Death Squad, which had allegedly killed drug personalities and opponents, when he was mayor of Davao City. However, the Chief Executive denied the allegations. (SunStar Philippines)