Rodrigo Duterte on drugs, death and diplomacy | Talk to Al Jazeera
Summary
TLDRIn an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte discusses his controversial war on drugs, which has seen over 3,500 deaths, emphasizing the need to protect future generations. He addresses allegations of human rights abuses, stating his commitment to preserving the nation's youth. Duterte also touches on his country's foreign policy, including strained relations with the US and potential engagement with China, while asserting the Philippines' rights over disputed territories in the South China Sea.
Takeaways
- 🇵🇭 Rodrigo Duterte emphasizes his commitment to the war on drugs, stating it is necessary to save the next generation from drug addiction.
- 🏛 Duterte discusses his background, including his politically inclined family and the impact of his early life experiences on his current views.
- 🔫 He acknowledges the deaths of 3,500 people in the drug war, but argues that it is a necessary measure to protect the country's youth.
- 🚨 Duterte denies encouraging vigilante killings, but admits that he has threatened criminals with death.
- 🏥 He expresses the lack of funds for rehabilitation centers, blaming the previous administration for not allocating resources for this issue.
- ⚖️ Duterte questions the effectiveness of the judicial system in dealing with drug cases, citing low conviction rates.
- 🌎 He discusses the Philippines' foreign policy, including his approach to China and the South China Sea dispute.
- 🏝️ Duterte clarifies that he will not give up any territory in the South China Sea, but is open to negotiations to prevent conflict.
- 🌿 He expresses openness to the idea of medicinal marijuana if it is certified by the appropriate authorities.
- 🤝 Duterte indicates a shift in foreign policy, distancing from the United States and seeking warmer relations with China.
Q & A
What is the main controversy surrounding President Rodrigo Duterte's presidency?
-The main controversy is Duterte's war on drugs, which has resulted in the killing of thousands of people, sparking international concern and criticism.
How has Duterte's background influenced his approach to governance?
-Duterte's upbringing in a politically inclined family, with a father who was a governor and a mother who was a freedom fighter, has profoundly shaped his outlook on politics and governance.
What was Duterte's response to the issue of extrajudicial killings in the context of the war on drugs?
-Duterte acknowledged the killings but justified them as necessary to protect the country's future, arguing that the sheer number of drug addicts could destroy the next generation.
How does Duterte view the role of the judicial system in addressing the drug problem?
-Duterte expressed frustration with the judicial system, noting the lack of convictions in drug cases and suggesting that the system is not effectively addressing the drug problem.
What is Duterte's stance on human rights in relation to his war on drugs?
-Duterte has stated that he does not care about what human rights advocates say and that his priority is to preserve the future of the country's youth, even if it involves violating human rights standards.
Does Duterte believe in rehabilitation as a solution to the drug problem?
-While Duterte acknowledges the need for rehabilitation, he also emphasizes the magnitude of the drug problem and the limitations of the budget allocated for such programs.
What is Duterte's position on medicinal marijuana?
-Duterte is open to the idea of medicinal marijuana if it is certified by the Food and Drug Administration as beneficial and is used for legitimate medical purposes.
How does Duterte plan to approach his relationship with China, especially concerning the South China Sea dispute?
-Duterte intends to engage in dialogue with China, seeking a peaceful resolution and compromise without giving up Philippine claims, while also acknowledging the limitations set by the Constitution.
What was Duterte's explanation for his previous statement about riding a jet ski to plant the Philippine flag in the disputed territory?
-Duterte clarified that the jet ski statement was a hyperbole to emphasize his determination not to give up on the disputed territory, not a literal plan of action.
How does Duterte view the relationship between the Philippines and the United States?
-Duterte has expressed a desire to distance the Philippines from the United States, its long-standing ally, possibly due to differences in foreign policy and a shift towards a more independent foreign policy stance.
Outlines
🏛️ Presidential Palace Interview with Rodrigo Duterte
The interview takes place in Manila's Presidential Palace, where Rodrigo Duterte discusses his first 100 days in office. Duterte, known for his controversial war on drugs and foreign policy, talks about his background, including his politically inclined family and the impact of his experiences on his political outlook. He addresses the war on drugs, explaining the rationale behind it and his stance on the killing of drug users and dealers. Duterte also touches on the issue of vigilante killings and his commitment to preserving the next generation from the drug problem.
🔍 Duterte's Stance on the War on Drugs and Legal System
Duterte elaborates on the collateral damage caused by his war on drugs, comparing it to similar situations in the United States and other countries. He defends the actions of the police and the necessity of their operations, despite the civilian casualties. The conversation shifts to the Philippine legal system, with Duterte expressing his belief in the system but also acknowledging the prevalence of drug-related crimes and the challenges in addressing them through the courts. He denies encouraging vigilante killings but admits that he cannot control all actions taken by citizens in response to the drug problem.
🏥 Rehabilitation and Duterte's Presidential Challenges
The discussion moves to the topic of rehabilitation for drug addicts, with Duterte highlighting the lack of funds and resources to build rehab facilities due to the budget constraints left by his predecessor. He criticizes the previous administration for not addressing the drug problem adequately and expresses his commitment to protecting the youth of the Philippines. Duterte also touches on the issue of medicinal marijuana, stating that he is open to its legalization if certified by the appropriate authorities.
🌊 Duterte on South China Sea Dispute and Foreign Policy
Duterte addresses his controversial statement about riding a jet ski to the disputed territory in the South China Sea, clarifying that it was a hyperbolic expression of his determination to defend Philippine territory. He emphasizes that he cannot give up any territory, as it is against the Philippine Constitution. Duterte also discusses his approach to foreign policy, particularly in relation to China, stating that he is open to negotiations and talks to prevent war and find a peaceful resolution to territorial disputes.
🤝 Duterte's Upcoming China Visit and Relations with the US
In the final paragraph, Duterte talks about his upcoming visit to China and his intentions for the trip. He clarifies that he will not be negotiating from a position of weakness and that he is committed to protecting Philippine interests. Duterte also discusses his decision to distance the Philippines from its long-standing ally, the United States, suggesting a shift in foreign policy towards a more independent stance. The interview concludes with a teaser for the continuation of the conversation in the next episode.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Rodrigo Duterte
💡War on Drugs
💡Controversy
💡Human Rights
💡Foreign Policy
💡South China Sea
💡Vigilante Killings
💡Rehabilitation
💡Medicinal Marijuana
💡International Relations
💡Constitution
Highlights
Rodrigo Duterte discusses his controversial war on drugs, which has seen over 3,500 deaths.
Duterte's upbringing in a politically inclined family and its influence on his views.
The president's response to allegations of sexual abuse by a priest during his childhood.
Duterte's stance on the judicial system and the prevalence of drug cases without convictions.
The president's denial of encouraging vigilante killings in the context of the drug war.
Duterte's perspective on the collateral damage of the drug war, comparing it to US military actions.
The president's commitment to protecting the next generation from the drug problem.
Duterte's views on the lack of budget for rehabilitation centers and his predecessor's role.
The president's take on medicinal marijuana and its potential legalization.
Duterte's clarification on his hyperbolic statement about riding a jet ski to the disputed territory.
The president's stance on territorial disputes in the South China Sea and his approach to China.
Duterte's defense against critics who claim he is negotiating from a position of weakness with China.
The president's emphasis on the importance of dialogue and courtesy in international relations, particularly with China.
Duterte's plans for his upcoming visit to China and the topics he intends to discuss.
The president's distancing of the Philippines from the United States and his reasoning behind it.
Duterte's final thoughts on his presidency and the challenges he faces in managing the drug crisis and foreign relations.
Transcripts
we're in the presidential palace in
Manila where it's just over 100 days
into the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte
in an exclusive first interview since he
was sworn in we talked to him about his
controversial war on drugs and foreign
policy including deteriorating relations
with the United States and potentially
warming relations with China the
president of the Republic of the
Philippines
Rodrigo Rojo detected talks to
al-jazeera mr. president thank you for
talking to Al Jazeera it's been a
tumultuous start to the presidency for
you full of controversy particularly
about the war on drugs but first let's
start with your background you were
raised in a politically inclined family
your father was a governor your mother
was a freedom fighter during the reign
of former President Ferdinand Marcos how
was that affected your outlook
profoundly I would say I grew up in a
environment of politics and as
politicians we tend to you know we go by
the issues of the day the big was the
road of fact the conditions economy and
all especially the political issues and
what my father was governor for 10 years
or more but when he died
I was I was then a prosecutor and when
the revolution came my mother was one of
the stalwarts of the opposition against
Marco you also had some difficult times
when you were younger as a child you
have revealed that you were sexually
abused by a priest it has that shaped
your beliefs is that shaped helped to
shape who you are now yes the large
extent actually it's uh what you get
along the way that shapes your character
especially and even you're at that time
even your politics and uh how you look
at the world and how you should
assess them by the standards of use in
school and in growing up the things that
you pick up along the way he said sorts
of a blend into a coalition it blends it
to something which is big can be said
forming your own values in life let's
talk about the war on drugs now three
and a half thousand people have been
killed so far it seems like the whole
world is talking about it at the moment
the Philippines seems to have so many
problems so why launch what is a brutal
war on drugs because the sheer number of
people contaminated will pull them play
country now it will destroy the next
generation of Latinos you know this
lives lost some of them were lost during
legitimate encounters with the police
but the fact is at the moment we have
three and a half thousand people killed
and you yourself alluded to just then
that perhaps some of them weren't
legitimate targets you know there is no
crime at all when you threaten criminals
with death in my country at least there
is no law which says I can have
threatened criminals and that was the
favorite but of course the de clichy
that they used it became a cliche over
time and when I was president I said we
have three million according to Padilla
three million drug addicts not counting
mine because it's still going on so I
said if we do not end up dick this
problem the next generation will be
having a serious problem and I found
that again same you destroy my country
I'll kill you and it's a legitimate
thing if you destroy our young children
I will kill you that is
a very correct statement there is
nothing wrong in trying to preserve the
interest of the next generation that
three million addicts it's not they are
not a residence of one compact area or
contiguous place they're spread all over
the country and by the sheer number
because if you are a user you must push
unless you are the son of a millionaire
or because you have to sustain your
addiction by getting another financier
for you and then at the next financier
will have to get a new victim to finance
that's what it became that is how drugs
is a spread but it was not until I
became president that the widespread and
the magnitude of the problem became
really a serious issue so what about the
children and the innocent people have
been killed this is bad so will those
cases be investigated you give up do you
promise that all those but let me tell
you this is the law of my my London here
is a police here is a gangster his arm
between m16 because they're only a
pistol but when they meet the exchanged
fire with the police with an m16 it's
one bus prep and hits 1000 people there
under die this is criminal liability
it could not be negligence because you
have to save your life
it could not be recklessness because you
have to defend yourself just like when
the United States and the rest of the
country when you bomb the building's you
intend to kill the militants but you
kill in the process the children there
it's only how it is explained and we are
you know people judged best when they
condemn so you would always flip place
you in a bad light but the situation
does not comfort it and it explains the
reason why until now I have yet to hear
an apology for those who have in Vietnam
in Afghanistan never mind about the
militants kill them we will but then in
depressive to families hospital or as
collateral damage then why is it
it is equilateral damage the West and to
us it is murder you went to law school
yeah you worked hard to be part of the
legal system you are a lawyer by
profession good and you were a
prosecutor for many years
yes do you still believe in the
country's judicial system right now I
should believe in the system because I
will guarantee this time that they law
this way there are judges here in Manila
more than 1000 cases no conviction at
all of a drug case that is where punish
blows the well maybe savagery
threatening people on both sides that is
how it is played here that's why we are
this miserable thing about the drug
problem no but do you agree do you
acknowledge that you have encouraged
vigilante killings no I said I will kill
you if I encourage fine yes but the
point is that people can get away with
murder right now and you know that some
of the killings are not legitimate well
so do you think that there might be
cases of people settling old scores out
there and dessert and disguising them as
the war on drugs I do not play with
conjectures I do not make assumptions I
just say what I should be saying as a
precedent under Samiha
now if the criminals they are killed by
the thousands that's not my problem
my problem is how to take care of the
law-abiding god-fearing young persons of
this Republic because they are resources
strictly speaking you do cannot find any
redeeming factor in being you know the
criminals are there there for what the
other for the just like the cartel in
maximum if you have read young litleo
this is how the cookie crumbles
exactly
so when I make a purchase I will kill
you because MDMA or I am the president
now if the Vigilant they will take over
but you know I cannot control it I
cannot be God and control everything
okay you just kill these guys or you
wait for the courts do that well you can
encourage good policing and you can
encourage justice and trust in the
judicial system but when I was
campaigning as a president the drug
problem was already reaching by the
millions well 3 million is 3 million now
during my time we have started to count
we are nearing now the 800 mark 800,000
by the year end ends I would have about
also a million so I have 4 million drug
addict do you think that's that's an
easy number No so why not put all the
energy into rehabilitation what do you
find it reforming health care ok oh uh
gun company we cut this for a while I
just heard a soldier ok ok hit up again
appeal newspaper Capone he wants to show
you the news oh sure sure enough okay so
you were saying about this facility sir
what is this about this is a rehab
facility built by somebody this is what
they click rided you know the third day
he should have built harihar houses
instead of killing the criminals the
drug lords you know this would cost
millions I entered the presidency of the
Republic of the Philippines mid theorem
there is nothing at all left in the
budget for this year which was prepared
by my predecessor which was also
prepared the other year to be
implemented this year the implementation
does not contain any money because
nobody until I became president of this
country nobody realized how widespread
how dimensional it was
sir in the past during the campaign and
weeks into your presidency you have
repeatedly said that you have no regard
for human rights but human rights is
actually part of the Constitution and as
a head of state it is also part your
duty to uphold the Constitution how does
that connect
I would rather intimidate and strike
fear in the hearts of the criminals just
like what happened in Davao when finally
you can walk the streets walk about in
the streets at night and you can eat
anywhere at any time and nobody but
nobody would bother you it's happening
dabao Davao City is in the midst of
Mindanao it's Robert lon but I can
assure you as plenty of people have been
there it's a destination for conventions
and conferences international it's
always elected so it's booming it is a
little bit rich than the others why
because we can live or knives or lives
normally and of course business contract
so that when I said I do not care about
what the human rights guys say I have a
duty to preserve the generation if it
involves human rights I don't give a
[ __ ] I have to strike fear because I
have I said the intimus of the states
are out there to destroy the children
are you not worried about possible
ramifications in the future for you a
possible impeachment or being tried in
the international court good question
before you can begin you must determine
that I have committed the crime in my
country that I have committed mass
murders in my country and then charged
with them there can be no ratification
when I say that I will kill you if you
destroy my London it's illegitimate it
says it's a legitimate statement the
of any general of any work I'm president
of ad tribal leader to say those things
of course you said there could be
consequences but I am not worried about
this thing I do not make any projections
how many vigilante killings well if you
compare the four million to the to the
three thousand - legitimate encounters
between the law enforcers and the
criminals give give or take even a half
of it so what is it - the lives already
lost I have four million addicts to take
care of and I have been criticized I
would say well why don't just you know
the dirt they build rehab centers and
just place them there when ready to kill
him look I am embed term president in
the sense that I entered this year the
presidency the only this year the budget
for this year was prepared by my
predecessor so Aquino and it binds me
because it would last until December
nowhere in this budget provides enough
money to build even two buildings Aubry
hub structures it's all what is left of
my government now after the election is
just enough for the M or e or e
maintenance and all so he sings you not
know capital outlays the budget of
President Aquino for this year the last
six months does not include any
rehabilitation because the problem was
there but there was nobody minding the
store I was the only mayor brave enough
to say those things
so my seat City well got the benefits of
a peaceful place where you can
where you can eat work safely but the
others we did not know but they allowed
so many administration's
to flourish and it was done until I
became president between you realized
that there were already according to at
the time those generals generals and
cello of the Padilla Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency that there are
already three million addicts so never
mind my counting because I'm still
counting up to the end of the year are
you in favor of medicinal marijuana yes
but that is a very long process it has
to be something like being officially
certified by the food and drugs of the
Philippines and it must have this
qualifying you know activity where it's
being used to find out if it's really a
medicinal or if it can do something good
for the body but should consider it
you'd consider it legalization of it for
example III I'm not the authority for
that it's the Food and Drug
Administration which I said it's good
okay if it is certified by the
government that it's good fine no
problem I don't think anyone could deny
doesn't matter how controversial it is
that you've delivered on your election
campaign promise to crackdown on drugs
one thing you haven't delivered on yet
is your promise to ride a jet ski out to
the disputed territory in the South
China Sea and plant the Philippine flag
on there now many people many voters I
assume took that as a sign that you were
going to be tough on China in that
disputed territory in the South China
Sea or the West Philippine Sea but you
haven't been why you really think that I
would go there riding I don't even own a
jet no I don't but if people perceive
that as a sign that you were going to
get tough with it I was a hyperbola
literally table you cannot expect oh
right I don't even know how to swim
and if it overturns and you lose a
president along the way so why did you
say that then what were you referring
here a hyperbola to stress a point that
we
will not we will not give up anything
there but your statements recently tend
to indicate that you are willing to give
up some territory there no it does our
nobody is going to give up my Madrid the
readjustment I thought that it's enough
able you cannot I cannot give it up
nobody can give it up nobody in the
Constitution allows anybody to give it
up
even the president cannot give it up
those are our entitlements this is an
island everybody every country in this
world is given its own fishpond that's
your Fishman where you get to fish the
shares and everything you cannot give it
up you can only negotiate to prevent war
remember that we're ok I'll push your
logic to the logical conclusion we have
this judgment right two things I can do
I can go into a rage because it's being
occupied but remember it is not a
sovereign and it is there is the
entitlement attached to it if the
sovereignty okay the order is to go into
a rage and fight and the other is the
top what do you think will happen to my
country if I choose to go to work a
fight alone oh I would call upon the
other countries to help me who who died
for my country except us so we can only
talk and that's why they invited me for
talks I will go but I will go with this
paper a blank she's a president yeah I
said this is the award I cannot go out
beyond the boundaries of this paper come
on let's talk let's begin here the
Philippines want a landmark case against
China unprecedented in recent history a
smaller country standing up to a
superpower it declared the nine - claim
of China invalid
now you're going to China and you've
mentioned previously you said that you
will not insist on the position of the
Philippines on the Scarborough Shoal now
your critics are questioning why it
seems you're going to China and
negotiating from a position of weakness
rather than abstract it would be
arrogant to me to go there and say I'm
going there to fight for this and that
you know there's much to be learned in
history and even in the books and the
way the orientalis places the words in
small especially the Chinese you have to
go there with a little bit of courtesy
but when you are already in front which
are Ghana then I said this is it we do
not do what would be I go what would be
the purpose in going there without for
what but you can guarantee to the
Philippine people that you are not going
to sign away or give up hope of give up
fighting for the Spratlys Scarborough
Shoal if they are Philippine territory
nobody but nobody not even the president
of this country can give up the claim
you're not allowed to do that that this
one's sure we are going to impeachment
but can you guarantee that you will
fight - yeah - nobody is going to give
up anything that I said if the
Constitution does not allow you then who
can they're not even your mouth as
that's how it is what do you see hoping
to do when you go to China
well maybe we talk about I would no no I
would that put the wherewithal so we
would start then the judgmental thing
would come come in - for then some other
matters of both trade and commerce and
if there's any arrangement is going to
come it or happy compromise 10 per week
we can talk about entitlements of the
China Sea but really I cannot predict on
on any solid thing to talk about
until em though so uh I am not there
until I am there will you discuss the
war on drugs because records show that a
lot of the drugs coming into the
Philippines are coming from China
understand it that's why I'd like to
help but you're not china knows you
democracy I mean the Communist is just
something which is just you think to go
buy keep control but everything there is
a free enterprise
having said that mr. president you have
clearly moved away from the United
States why do you think it is necessary
for the country to distance itself from
its long-standing ally in Asia our
exclusive interview with the Filipino
president Rodrigo Duterte will continue
on the next episode of talk to Al
Jazeera
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