President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, November 4, vowed that he will crush criminality as drug syndicates may have resorted to kidnapping activities.

Duterte said the government’s war against the illegal drug trade has adversely affected and cut the supply of drugs.

He said that Filipinos should be more careful, noting that there had been reports of kidnapping incidents for the past weeks.

Duterte meanwhile said that the government would need a huge amount per year for the rehabilitation of drug dependents, that will cover their medical, rehabilitation and other expenses.

The President reiterated that there will be no let up in his campaign against the drug menace and criminality until the end of his term, even if it will cost him his life and presidency.

In another development, the President expressed his willingness to step down from the presidency if Congress can hasten his appeal for a shift to federalism from the present unitary form of government.

The President has consistently stated that federalism will usher growth and development and thus will bring lasting peace to the country.PND