Duterte says long way to go in fight against drugs

July 26, 2021 - 5:46 PM
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President Rodrigo Duterte considered "human rights" and "human lives" as separate entities in his third State of the Nation Address, irking the public. (Philstar/AJ Bolando)

MANILA — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday the country’s battle against illegal drugs remained unfinished business, in comments made in his final State of the Nation address before he ends his single six-year term next year.

“While we have made strides in ending rebellion and insurgency in various parts of the country, we still have long way in our fight against the proliferation of drugs,” Duterte said, referring to the bloody war on drugs he has presided over that is being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC). —Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema