• Love of country is what makes PRRD fight drug menace
• Davao rising: From the ashes of the night market blast
• PCO Sec. Andanar rallies Filipinos on civic responsibilities

The President said he is not worried of the negative perception and criticism he receives from other nations as he is acting for the welfare of the Philippines and the Filipinos.

Bounded by his presidential duties, he is determined to solve the crisis the way he needs to and within the country’s limited resources, no matter what the international community says.

“I have a problem here. So, I will solve it with my limited resources, (and) the way I want it, “ he said.

“I am invoking sovereignty. No interference… never interfere on anybody’s business,” he said.

“I am not worried about the international community, because I am not the President of international countries. I am the President of the Republic of the Philippines, and I must solve decisively this problem. Or else, the 3 million 700 thousand (drug addicts and drug pushers) will compromise the next generation of Filipinos,” he said.

Repeatedly he reiterates that extrajudicial killings is not the handiwork of the government, despite some sectors attributing it to the Duterte administration. He implied that they are carried out by drug syndicates and criminal elements.
“Criminals kill criminals. That is not my (problem) worry. It is the extrajudicial killing of people, getting—well—getting rid of the criminals but (with) their own hands,” he said.

In a country of 104 million, the President pointed out it is not an easy task to fight criminality.

The President said that drugs have destroyed the lives of many people, relationships and marriages, a problem that has been the root of criminalities, and breakdowns on families.

As the father of the nation, President Duterte said he will not allow the future Filipinos to continue to suffer because of the drug problem.

“I put my life, my honor, and the Presidency itself, at stake anytime—anytime they can impeach me, they can kill me. I’m 71 years old. I have to protect the next generation,” the President added.

“At the end of the day, it is really your love for your country, and that want (for the)new generation of Filipinos to have a better life than they have had,” he said. (LMG//LTA/ PND)

Present during the predawn meeting were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. General Ricardo Visaya, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., Agriculture Secretary Emmauel Piñol, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Guiling Mamondiong.

The main agenda for the meeting was the investigation of the Davao blast and security concerns on a national scale on the eve of the President’s first overseas trip as head of state.

Businesses and known night life spots in the city have opened for business and a sense of normalcy has returned, except for the area of the Night Market which was “Ground Zero” of the blast. Around the city, PNP/AFP checkpoints have been toned down and life on a Saturdayevening seemingly returned to normal less than 24 hours since the tragedy.

Citizens of Davao are coping with the incident in a very healthy manner, but remain vigilant following President Duterte’s declaration of a State of Lawlessness.

The President is confident in his Security Cluster. He is hopeful that the perpetrators of the Night Market bombing will be apprehended and that the entire country will be secure even during his absence.

PRRD also reiterated that despite the increased police and military visibility, the country remains a democratic state. “We are a democracy. We are not fascists. I will not order the military or the police to frisk everyone.”

In an interview over state-run Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Secretary Andanar called on his fellow Filipinos not to be cowed by acts of terrorism.

“The best way is to get our acts together as a government and as one people. Because if we stop what we are doing, parang nanalo ang terrorista,” he said.

“We are facing a faceless enemy. They always want to fight their opponent blinded. They don’t fight face to face,” Secretary Andanar said in the aftermath of Friday night’s Davao City bombing which killed 15 people and injured scores of innocent Filipinos.
He said, “This is the fight of everyone, it’s not only the fight of the government; this is the fight of the entire country,” as he reminded the public to contribute by reporting suspicious acts to officials in their barangay.

The PCO chief further said, ”We have to accept the fact that our government is on a serious war against illegal drugs and against terrorism in Sulu and Basilan, and these terrorists will always find a way to retaliate, of course yun ang trabaho nila to terrorize people.”

On the travel advisories released by the United States, Canada, and Australia, Secretary Andanar said “it’s normal that they give out travel advisories, it’s their duty to advise their citizens to be careful.”