MANILA – The perennial problem of illegal drugs is finally hitting America and the US government seems to be replicating the Philippines’ “Tokhang” (Tuktok-Hangyo) anti-Illegal drug operations.
In his speech at the opening ceremony of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines SWAT Challenge at Ma-a Firing Range on March 1, President Duterte called out American media for criticizing his war on drugs, when the latter’s own government seems to be mirroring the Duterte administration’s “Tokhang” operations that originated in Davao City when President Duterte was still mayor.
“Tingnan mo America, tinitira si Bato. Ngayon sino naga-Tokhang? Sila (Look at America, they’re targeting Bato. Now who’s conducting Tokhang? It’s them [American government]),” Duterte said.
“They were able to capture a website, tapos lahat ng transaction sa droga, inagaw nila, dinetain nila in communicado yung mga drug people, and they operated it [Tokhang],” the Chief Executive explained. “So nalaman nila, lahat tino-Tokhang (They were able to capture a website, and all the drug transactions, they gathered. They detained in communicado, those involved in drugs and they operated it (Tokhang). They knew about it and conducted Tokhang on everyone of them,” the President added.
It can be recalled that President Duterte has been a subject of global criticism, especially from US media, for his all-out war against illegal drugs.
Duterte pointed out the double standard, saying, “Kung sila, okay. Tayo, nung ginagawa ni Bato, hindi. Violation ng human rights (When they do it, it’s okay. But when we do it, when Bato does it, it’s not okay. It’s a violation of human rights,” he said.
Duterte recounted how the US criticized his declaration of national emergency when it dawned upon him the problem of illegal drugs, which was entangled with the socio-political climate and alliances in different parts of the country, making the problem all the more complex.
“Ngayon sila ang may national emergency. Trump declared it,” he said. “Trump [said] he would like to follow Duterte because they have no problem in the Philippines (Now it’s them that’s having a national emergency. Trump declared it), he said.
Duterte reiterated it is his mandate to protect the welfare of the Filipino people.
“Ano man ang trabaho natin? To protect the people and defend our sovereignty,” he said, adding that all he wants is a little patience and cooperation from the people and from all sides of Philippine politics.
“I am not asking for a personal loyalty. I have a term, sabi ng Constitution, 6 years,” the president said, assuring the AFP and PNP members that they can execute his ousting should he exceed even just 24 hours of his term. (PCOO/PNA)
