AFP General Headquarters, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City
December 20, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reignited his support to both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the fight against crime and corruption during the awarding ceremony of the 1st PRRD Fellowship Golf Tournament at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The President specified illegal drugs and armed rebels as the major problems faced by the country. He presented a thick ream of paper and said that it contains the list of politicians (from local government leaders to major legislators) as well as private individuals and government law enforcers involved in the illegal drug trade.

President Duterte also spoke about the armed insurgents in Mindanao and said that having a federal type of government will appease the root of the problem: Moro nationalism. He also warned that the switch to federalism must be studied carefully to avoid such pitfalls, such as the purely parliamentary system of the United Kingdom that limits the power of the country’s leader especially in responding to crises.

He also reiterated the administration’s investment of one billion pesos to purchase medicine for people with medical receipts but are in need of money. The President added that he hoped to continue this project next year by allocating resources from the 2017 budget.

President Duterte also spoke about his plans against “endo” or contractual employment and said that education becomes futile without a stable job. He added, “We have to improve the economy. I have to improve the country.”

The President also gave his support on family planning and said that it is a practical way of managing the population to a stable level.

Before his speech, the President led the awarding ceremony of the golf tournament. The Philippine Army (PA) Team 1, led by Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, was awarded the champion’s cup and PhP 300,000.

The 1st PRRD Fellowship Golf Tournament was hosted by the PNP and the AFP in an effort to solidify ties between the two and encourage recreation through competition.

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