Duterte praises police for 32 overnight drug kills in Bulacan
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Human rights groups might be up in arms again about an overnight drug operation which left over 30 people dead, but President Rodrigo Duterte is all praises for the policemen who carried out the raid.
Speaking at the founding anniversary celebration of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption at Malacañang Wednesday afternoon, Duterte said that with such results, the country had a shot at eradicating the drug menace — referring to a province-wide, "one time, big time" raid in Bulacan which killed 32 drug suspects.
Related: Police: 32 dead, 107 arrested in province-wide drug sweep
"Maganda yun. Makapatay lang tayo ng another 32 every day, maybe we can fix what ails this country," he said.
[Translation: "That's good. If we can only kill 32 everyday, maybe we can fix what ails this country.]
Related: Duterte lashes out at Aquino over drug war criticism
To the Commission on Human Rights officials who continued to criticize him over the war on drugs, the President said he planned to investigate them instead for "conspiracy" and "obstruction of justice."
However, he didn't elaborate on how he would go about this and what basis he would cite.
Duterte had recently admitted that the drug problem could not be controlled given the number of local officials, policemen and even judges linked to the illegal trade.
Related: Duterte: We can't control drug problem
But he had a warning to local government units: shape up or ship out.
"If you cannot control drugs in the city, I might just suspend you... Magbakasyon ka na lang [Better take a vacation]. I will not return the police powers to you.
Related: House panel postpones barangay, SK polls anew
The chief executive also repeated his concern over drug money taking over the barangays (villages) that's why he wanted the elections postponed. He said narco-politicians would win in the polls because they would have the funds to run a campaign.
CNN Philippines' Ina Andolong contributed to this report.
