Philippine President extends anti-drug campaign until end of term

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says the country's police are 'corrupt to the core' and has vowed to extend his anti-drug campaign until the end of his term in 2022.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: Reuters.

"The police are the most corrupt, corrupt to the core. It's in your system," Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told reporters on January 30, criticizing anti-narcotics officers believed to be the masterminds of the murder of a South Korean businessman in the national police headquarters, AFP reported.

According to Mr. Duterte, nearly 40% of the Philippine police force is involved in illegal activities. He plans to "clean up" the Philippine police. Ronald Dela Rosa, the Philippine police chief, immediately announced the temporary suspension of all anti-drug units in the island nation to begin the cleaning process.

President Duterte also announced the extension of the anti-drug campaign, which began after he took office on June 30, 2016. "I will extend it until the last day of my term. March no longer counts," he said, referring to the original deadline.

In the Philippines, each president is only allowed one 6-year term, meaning Mr. Duterte will expire in 2022.

According to VNE