PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, November 29, once again took a swipe at his critics who strongly oppose his war on illegal drugs and told them that he would stand pat on his policies, despite clamor for him to address drug-related deaths.
Duterte maintained that he would ignore the objections of human rights' advocates over the way he handles the drug problem.
"I don't want killing. That is not my job to promote war. It's not my job to encourage violence. But on the issue of (addressing illegal) drugs, these human rights' (groups) in and out of the Philippines hear this," Duterte said at the ceremonial send-off of Vietnamese fishermen in Pangasinan.
"Forget about it. Your complaints will just fall on deaf ears. I will not listen to you," he added.
Duterte's bloody drug war has drawn criticisms not only in this country but also among the international community, following the deaths of thousands of suspected drug personalities since he assumed office in June 2016.
International organizations, such as the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU), have expressed alarm over the Philippine government's efforts to make the country narcotics-free.
Duterte has refused to accept criticisms from the UN and the EU and said that he would not allow any foreign groups to interfere in the country's domestic issues.
The President also hit his critics anew for dressing him down by just relying on different figures about the drug-related killings.
He then reiterated that he would harshly deal with the worsening problem of illicit drugs trade in the country.
"You're destroying my country and you expect me to pat you on the back and say, 'Just be gentle,'" Duterte said.
"You can commit any (crimes but do not be involved in) illegal drugs transaction. Don't be connected with drugs. Not drugs because it will really kill the Filipino," he added. (SunStar Philippines)