Duterte offers police, military P3-million reward to get drug lords, dead or alive

Duterte ordered police, military to get drug lords, dead or alive
The soon-to-be president offered P3 million for every big time drug lord
He warned drug lords not to destroy the country and the youth of the land or they will be killed

Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte announced he would pay bounties to police officers or military men who can capture big time drug lords, dead or alive.

Duterte made the announcement during a press conference held on Tuesday, May 31, at the Presidential Guest House, also called the “Malacañang of the South,” located at the compound of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao City.

As mentioned in Pia Ranada’s article for Rappler, the soon-to-be president said he will pay P3 million for every big time drug lord that will be turned in by police or military officials. Lesser amounts would be given for every drug personality with lesser influence – P2 million for supervisors, P1 million for second-level drug dealers and P50,000 for ordinary drug peddlers.

“I’m not saying you kill them but the order is ‘dead or alive,'” he said, adding police and military officers are still required to abide by the law in getting drug suspects.

“They are lectured upon and they learn a lot, it’s a subject. When to kill and when not to kill. When is it legal to kill, when is it unlawful to take another man’s life,” he said.

“Pagka sinabi kong dead or alive. Alam nila kung tumaas ang kamay, talagang alive ‘yan. Pagka lumaban, edi dead ‘yan,“ he added.

[When I said dead or alive, they (police) know that if the criminal raises his hands (in surrender), they are alive. If the criminal fights back, they are dead]

The rewards, he said, will come from the leftover campaign contributions. He added there is enough money to leave 100 drug personalities dead.

“There’s enough money left. I do not want to get hold of it for too long. Basta may pera at hindi ko ninakaw. ‘Yan ang gamitin ko (There is money, and I didn’t steal it. That’s what I’ll use). I’ll dispose of that money,” he said.

He then gave a stern warning to drug lords.

“Do not destroy my country because I will kill you. Do not destroy the youth of the land, our children, because I will kill you.”