Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
March 25, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the groundbreaking rites of a five-hectare property allotted for the establishment of a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon as the government continues its campaign against illegal drugs in the country.

The DATRC was donated by the Friends of the Philippines Foundation (FPF) with a project cost amounting to PhP700 million. The said project will accommodate 500-800 drug dependents and aims to not only treat and rehabilitate drug abuse patients, but to teach them various skills that will help them become more productive citizens. Construction is expected by December 2017.

During the event, President Duterte reiterated his stance against the effects of illegal drugs to Filipinos and to society. Based on reports, the consequences of drug abuse has driven users to insanity with three to four million users as of last year. He emphasized that the fight against illegal drugs is ensuring the future of the next generation, particularly the Filipino youth.

“Stop destroying our country. Do not deprive us of the next generation, of Filipinos because we need them to run the country to be the mothers and fathers of our children so that the Philippines can continue until kingdom come,” the President said.

He called on his critics who keep criticizing his drug campaign, saying, “You read the crimes that were committed before the drug campaign, and look who were the victims. Children, one-year-old, raped. Two years old, school girls coming from school. Night shift workers, and everybody else… most of them are committed by the drug addicts.”

Likewise, President Duterte renewed his commitment to the police force enforcing the law under his orders, stressing that he takes full legal responsibility.

“I will protect the Filipino and serve the nation. It says all. I will do anything to preserve the Filipino. It does not matter what document you want and I said, if it comes to the interest of my country, so be it. It will be done,” he said.

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