‘Take a Selfie with God and I’ll Resign,’ says Duterte

There is a lot to like about Rodrigo Duterte, and a lot to hate. His efforts to clean up the Philippines drug culture is both laudible and horrifying, but I wish he would extend his enthusiasm to cleaning up the rampant child sex abuse that makes the Philippines the world's premier hotspot for child sex tourism and child pornography. 

One good thing about Duterte is that Christians don't have to apologize for him. We do have to pray for him because he has the most pathetic grasp of theology of almost any world leader.

© Romeo Ranoco / Reuters

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to resign immediately – if a Christian can show him any proof that God exists. It comes just weeks after he outraged religious groups for calling God “stupid.”

The outspoken leader made the vow on Friday during one of his signature freestyle speeches. Duterte said if anyone can say that they have either “been to heaven, talked to God [or] saw him personally,” he would resign as president “tonight.”

“I just need one witness who will say, ‘Mayor, those fools at the church ordered me to go to heaven and talk to God. God really exists. We have a picture together and I brought a selfie,’” he added, during the opening of a science and technology event in southern Davao city.

I would like to introduce you to Someone called Jesus. Have you heard of Him as other than a curse word? I dare you to find out Who He is.

Duterte then hit out at the Catholic Church by asking why followers are required to donate money to the Church. “If you are really helping people, why do you ask money from them?” he questioned.

This isn’t the first time the 73-year old has criticized Christian groups and their ‘God.’ In June, Duterte called God “stupid” during a discussion about the Biblical story of creation. In response, Christian groups accused him of insulting God and demanded an apology, to which the president replied: “Not in a million years.”

You might get a million years to change your mind! But I don't think it will take that long.

Duterte's tirade against God started, at the beginning, with Adam and Eve. With God allowing them to choose to sin and thereby contaminating every human being born after them, except Jesus, with their sin. Duterte called it stupid, and at first glance, in fact after several glances, it still appears pretty stupid from the view of an extremely limited human mind.

But what was God thinking? He didn't have to allow Satan into the Garden of Eden, did He? He threw him out of Heaven after he sinned against God, but threw him to earth where he could tempt and infect all of mankind. How bright was that?

One of the erroneous assumptions we make as human is to think that this life that we are living is all there is, or is the whole purpose of our existence. But, contrary to some weak theological theories, God did not create us and put us on the earth for the purpose of just enjoying our lives and avoiding suffering. We may have those opportunities, but most of us struggle through life suffering in a myriad of ways.

What was God's purpose in creating us and putting us on a planet with demonic spirits, with evil personified? God created us to love and enjoy Him forever. But love is a funny thing. You may 'fall' in love with someone but that almost invariably fades over time. True love, the love that God showers upon us and the love He hopes to get from us is deeper than that. It includes a decision to love, a choice. 

Our lifetime on earth is an infinitely small fragment of forever, but a vital one. For it is here that God determines those who shall go on to enjoy Him forever, and those who will not. Those who will go on to be in God's presence are those who choose to love God. They are those who choose good over evil - not what they think is good, man cannot make his own definition of good or evil. One evil that God consistently hates is man's desire to be his own god. To ignore what God says and to ignore the phenomenal sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

But choosing good over evil requires that there be evil to choose! If there was only good and no evil, man would have no choice but to 'love' God. Such love would ultimately fail as it did in Heaven where there was no evil and therefore no real choice to make. Satan's love for God faded and he decided to put himself on the throne. Many of us are still doing that today - Duterte is one of them.

So earth is a testing ground, a boot camp almost, where those committed to God are taught and tested to determine if their commitment, or faith, is real and will last through Eternity.

God shows Himself to believers in many ways. He has proved Himself to me many, many times. He will not prove Himself to unbelievers, generally speaking, because we have to come to Him in faith. If God could be seen by unbelievers, there would be no need for faith, and without faith there can be no lasting, pure love, and no hope for an Eternity with God.

Duterte has just celebrated his second year in office but critics cite his verbal war with Christians as one of the many reasons he has “become isolated domestically and internationally,” and may not see the end of his six-year term.

“Duterte’s tirade against God and the Bible reveals again that he is a psychological freak, a psychopath, an abnormal mind who should have not been elected as president of our civilized and Christian nation,”  Catholic Bishop, Arturo Bastes

Unfortunately, the Bishop doesn't seem to understand that it is God who places Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers and presidents. His purposes are not always what Christians might want or hope for. Sometimes it is to clean up messes that religious people have created or have allowed to exist.

‘Why Even Fight?’ Duterte Threatens Drug Lord Politicians with Airstrikes

Calling in the Air Force is taking the war on drugs to another level. But with drug-lords with private armies thinking they can do anything they want, this might actually get their attention. The danger here is two-fold: collateral casualties - bombs are not surgical, and the likelihood that some people will accuse political rivals of being drug dealers just to get rid of them.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to unleash the full might of the military against the private militias of corrupt politicians, including sending in fighter jets to bomb their positions.

The president was giving a speech in which he revealed he had expanded the list of politicians suspected to be involved in the drugs trade.

“Even if you have 100-200 armed men, that will not help,” he said, as quoted by the Manila Bulletin on Tuesday. “Why would you put up a fight? I have 12 FA-50 jets. I will drop five bombs on you. I will really use the force of the government.”

“I told you not to contradict the government. I will use the government because I have to protect the people who represent the government. I will not hesitate.”

Private armies led by politicians and powerful clans have long been a fixture in the Philippines, particularly in the southern island of Mindanao, wracked by conflict with communist and Muslim insurgents as well as the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf, linked to Islamic State.

Other than providing security, the militias are known to be used for settling scores: in November 2009, gunmen loyal to the powerful Ampatuan family massacred 57 people in the province of Maguindanao. Duterte himself has been accused of leading an armed group dubbed the “Davao Death Squad” prior to his election as president, which allegedly carried out the killings of thousands of accused drug dealers, users, thieves and other petty criminals. Some of the alleged former members of the squad have testified in court, either providing descriptions of the alleged extrajudicial killings, or dismissing the very existence of the group as “media hype.”

Duterte’s latest warning comes just over a week after Reynaldo Parojinog, mayor of Ozamiz City, was shot dead along with 13 others, including his wife and his brother, when a shootout erupted during an anti-drugs operation. Parojinog had been on Duterte’s “list” since 2016, and Duterte denounced him and his family as “gangsters.”

Allegations of using the war on drugs as a method of getting political opponents out of the way have also surfaced locally.

“I am the president of the barangay [village] council,” Vicente Yungco Jr told Marina Kosareva for RT’s documentary Project Duterte. “I was really surprised that I was linked with drugs. I’m on bail now, amounting to 80,000 pesos [$1,600] for illegal firearms and ammunition.”

“I think it was a political motivation. I have a political rival in my barangay. We were elected for three terms, they did not win. I’m afraid that certain local officials, they can do whatever they want.”

Over 7,000 people have been killed in the police crackdown on drug dealers since the start of Duterte’s presidency in July 2016, according to data from the Philippine National Police (PNP). The Philippines authorities have claimed that a large portion of those deaths have come from suspects resisting arrest in police operations while others have come at the hands of vigilantes or rival crime syndicates working outside the law. Meanwhile, human rights groups allege there is an unofficial state-sanctioned policy of exterminating drug suspects, while police officers actively collude with the vigilantes.

'Untouchable' Duterte Tops Time Poll as EU Critics Told ‘Stick to Child Porn’

Time's Person of the Year?

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte © Pyay Kyaw / Reuters

The Filipino people’s “love affair” with their leader “is like a jet plane that's just taken off” and EU critics of President Rodrigo Duterte should ‘stick to child porn’.

That’s according to Philippines Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Lorraine Badoy who defended Duterte’s standing in Time magazine’s Top 100 Men and Women for 2017 survey, where he leads Vladimir Putin, Mark Zuckerberg, Justin Trudeau and Bill Gates. The final 'Time 100' list will be published on April 20.

“Plus 9 out of 10 Filipinos right now approve of him.” She added “Wrap your dim minds around that, you clowns. Nine out of ten.”

Anyone with a “teaspoon of IQ on them” would wait for Duterte to make a “huge error” before trying to topple him, she claimed.

“Then and only then would it be the time to let your cash flow to pay the EU idiots with galls as huge as Goodyear blimps to call for the president's resignation,” she said, adding in Filipino that “those in the EU, just engage in online child pornography. Since that's what you are good at.”

The warning comes as the EU condemns Duterte's plan to revive the death penalty for drug convictions. The European Parliament has called for an international investigation into "unlawful killings and other violations" in the Philippines linked to Duterte's war on drugs, while Duterte has told the EU MPs to mind their own business.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said that the assistant secretary’s comment was "obviously sarcastic" and she was not advocating child pornography, reported Rappler.

"Asec Badoy loves children and cares about their welfare, so to even imply that she trivializes the issue is unfair and misleading. She is an outspoken critique of social injustice, and we have no doubt as to her stand against child pornography,” Taguiwalo said in a statement, according to InterAksyon.

Badoy, a former human rights advocate and NGO worker, was appointed to implement medical assistance to drug addicts in rehab after her online activism caught the president’s eye.

The Philippines banned a number of x-rated websites at the beginning of 2017 as part of a wider child-porn crackdown.

Duterte-Style Anti-Drug Program Spreads to Chechyna

‘Shoot them dead!’ Chechen leader Kadyrov teaches security services how to deal with drug abusers

Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov at the Sochi International Investment Forum 2016. © Ramil Sitdikov / Sputnik

The head of Russia’s Chechen Republic, Ramzan (Rodrigo) Kadyrov, has likened the threat from drug addicts on the roads to that of terrorists, telling ministers that security forces must not hesitate to use lethal force to ensure public safety.

“To hell with those who violate order in the Chechen Republic, they should be shot dead. It doesn’t matter if it’s against the law… shoot them dead! Got it?.. that’s the law!” Kadyrov said at a meeting with ministers and religious leaders, according to a recording that quickly spread across the internet.

The Chechen leader apparently lost his temper after learning new information about the rate of traffic-related deaths caused by drug intoxication that has recently risen sharply. All efforts made by authorities to reduce the number of car accidents have been in vain so far.

Last year Chechnya introduced strict laws that enabled police to strip intoxicated drivers not only of their driving licenses, but of their cars as well. However, the measure failed to significantly change the situation.

Authorities in Chechnya also limited the sale of alcohol from 8:00am-10:00am. The initiative, however, turned out to have a downside as well. Following the restriction, the number of people using drugs in the form of pills instead of alcoholic beverages soared.

Recently, the Chechen leader said in a statement on Russian social network Vkontakte that terrorism would be fully eradicated in the republic – and that the next step of his policy would be a war on drugs.

“We have neutralized thousands of bandits [terrorists] that came here from dozens of countries. A set of measures helped us change the situation with drugs. According to various sources, Chechnya is one of the most successful regions in this regard,” Kadyrov wrote, however adding, that there's still no place for complacency.

Drug substances are not produced on the territory of the republic while pharmacies don’t sell mind-altering drugs, according to Kadyrov. However, the problem remains, as drugs are still smuggled into Chechnya from other Russian regions and from abroad.

    Chechnya, Russia

‘What if There is No God?’ Duterte Promotes Death Penalty as Certain Means of Serving Justice

President Duterte, don't give up your day job;

you are no theologian!

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. © Ted Aljibe / AFP

The Philippines’ president said that growing influence of atheism and agnosticism leads to people disrespecting laws and committing heinous crimes. And “if there is no God,” capital punishment is the only way to make sure justice is served.

The first sentence is most definitely true; the second, I'm not too sure about. At any rate, there is a God so the statement is redundant. There is a difference between people who believe God exists, or may exist, and Christians who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The difference is the first group have never, or probably never really experienced God; the second has. 

To accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour results in the immediate invasion of the Holy Spirit into the believer. It is only by this Spirit that one can experience God and therefore truly know that He is. 

President Rodrigo Duterte has condoned the restoration of the death penalty in the Philippines “because the fear is not there” anymore. According to him, the previous presidents had given in to the pressure of the “bleeding hearts” and the Catholic Church who had been against the death penalty “because only God can kill”.

“The problem with that is, I ask you, ‘what if there is no God?’” Duterte said to reporters at the presidential palace in Manila.

“When a one-year-old, an 18-month-old baby is taken from the mother’s arms, brought under a Jeep and raped, and killed, where is God? And in Syria women and children, who don’t want to have sex with ISIS, they are burned. So where’s God? My God, where are you?” he addressed the creator directly.

God has restricted Himself to intervening in man's affairs only when He is asked or wanted. Otherwise, there would be no such thing as free will, and without free will, we could never come to love God, for which we were created. The horrors that man commits on the children of this world will not go unpunished and the suffering will not go without blessings in Eternity.

Previously, Duterte promised to personally deal with Islamic State jihadists by eating them alive in public.

Duterte professed that he personally believes in God, though existence of God have been a “perpetual question” for him, seeing “heartaches, sorrows and agony.” According to the Philippines’ president, the state needs a means to punish wrongdoers, without a need to wait for “the end of the world, when he [God] will judge the living and the dead”, since growing atheism and agnosticism mean people lack fear and do not respect the law.

“That is why, I said give me back the death penalty,” concluded the president, saying he has “always been a hardliner when it comes to the penal laws.”

On Friday Duterte made a similar comment, while giving a speech to police officers about illegal drugs and a set of rules to deal with drug criminals.

“Maybe God doesn’t want all these killings. But never mind, God is not my enemy. I’ll talk to him when I get there,” said Duterte to the officers. “I'll ask him, 'If you are really God, you didn't do anything, and the Filipinos are going crazy.'”

I would strongly advise you sort that out before you get there!

During the election campaign, Duterte promised to re-establish capital punishment as part of an ongoing ‘war on drugs’. Since he took office in the end of June, some 3,500 people have been killed during ‘the war’, while more than 600,000 people reportedly turned themselves in.

600,000 drug dealers in one country? Astonishing!

President Duterte is well-known for his harsh comments littered with profanities against world leaders. He has been facing criticism for his bloody war on drugs recently and responded to it in a rather questionable manner.

The Philippines president called his US counterpart Barack Obama “son of a b**ch,” earlier this month after hearing that the latter was to address the country’s ‘war on drugs’. The outburst led to the cancellation of scheduled talks between the two leaders. Later, Duterte stated that his comment had not been directed towards Obama, while doing that he somewhat managed to redirect the insult to the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, calling him “a fool”.

Last week Duterte invited Ban Ki-moon and EU officials to investigate the methods of the nationwide drug crackdown. He managed, however, to insult the UN Secretary-General once more in process.

“I am inviting the United Nations’ Ban Ki ... what's the name of that devil? ... Ban Ki-moon,” Reuters quoted Duterte as saying.

OMGosh!

Mind you, it is odd that Moon and Obama are so concerned about the summary executions of reprobates in the Philippines and not at all concerned about the many beheadings and other executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia. But then, the Philippines don't have any oil and aren't buying much in terms of weapons. If they were, Moon and Obama would be a lot quieter.

Philippines Leader Calls Obama ‘Son of a B****,’ Rejects Lecturing from US on Human Rights

One would think the President of the United States would know

not to irritate a coiled snake

The reference to the war in Syria in the video is a good example of the difference in philosophy between the two presidents. The US and it's allies seemed content to keep the fighting to a level where no side was in danger of winning. It wasn't until Russia stepped in that the US suddenly decided that maybe they should actually try and win.

Duterte is trying to stop the devastating effects of drugs on the Filipinos. It seems the U.S. would rather he keep the status quo. The murders on the streets is a terrible violation of human rights, but in the end may produce a country that is much better off for it as long as the killing ends when the drugs do.

In an acid comment, Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte called Barack Obama a “son of a b****,” warning the US president against lecturing him over the Philippines’ human rights record in its brutal war on drugs at a global summit in Laos, where the two are set to meet.

“Son of a b****, I will curse you in that forum," the acid-tongued Duterte said before departing for Laos, where the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is hosting a meeting of global leaders, including the US and Russia.

The statement came in reaction to the information President Obama was to address the alleged extrajudicial killings during the anti-drug campaign in the Philippines that has already claimed 2,400 lives.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Duterte insisted he was “a president of a sovereign state” and that his country has “long ceased to be a colony of the United States."

“I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody,” Duterte went on to say, also cautioning other world leaders about addressing the issue of the anti-drug campaign in his country.

The Philippines president was set to meet Barack Obama on Tuesday, but it appears the talks are now in jeopardy. The US leader has now ordered his team to look into whether a “constructive, productive” dialogue is possible under the current circumstances.

"I always want to make sure if I'm having a meeting that it's actually productive and we're getting something done," Obama told reporters in a press conference following the G20 summit in China.

"The issue of how we approach fighting crime and drug trafficking is a serious one for all of us. We've got to do it the right way," the US leader went on to say. He noted that in case the meeting takes place, the “topic will be raised.”

After the arrival in Laos on Monday, Duterte said he would still consider talks with Obama. “Maybe, if I feel good. I don't want to quarrel with him.”

Rodrigo Duterte came to power in May, promising to wipe out drug dealers and put an end to the problem in his country. According to the latest police figures cited by AFP, since June law enforcers have killed 1,011 suspected criminals, with an additional 1,391 “deaths under investigation.”

The approach gained vast support among the average public, however raising concerns from political opponents, human rights groups and the US in particular.

"More people will be killed. Plenty will be killed until the last pusher is out of the streets. Until the [last] drug manufacturer is killed, we will continue and I will continue," Duterte said Monday.

The Philippines leader is notorious for his inflammatory comments. On one occasion he also called Pope Francis “a son of a b****.”

During the presidential election campaign that brought him to power, Duterte also lashed out at the US ambassador to the Philippines, calling him a homosexual.

Philippines President Declares 'State of Lawlessness,' 14 Dead in Explosion by Islamists

Fourteen people were killed in an explosion orchestrated by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in Davao City on Friday prompting Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to implement "a state of lawlessness" across the nation. Photo courtesy of Malacañang Photo Bureau/Government of the Philippines

By Sarah Mulé  

MANILA, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte declared "a state of lawlessness" following an explosion that killed 14 people in Davao City.

The attack ripped through a popular night market Friday night, killing 14 and injuring at least 71 others.

In declaring the state of lawlessness, Duterte said it "would require nationwide, well-coordinated efforts of the military and the police."

Jesus Dureza, Duterte's adviser on the peace process, later clarified the meaning.

"State of lawlessness merely calls out the military or the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to do law enforcement operations normally done only by the PNP (Philippine National Police). Precisely to suppress the lawless violence. It does not suspend some rights," he said on Facebook Saturday.

Militant group Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for the attack.

Abu Sayyaf) is an Islamist militant group based in and around Jolo and Basilan islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines, where for more than four decades, Moro groups have been engaged in an insurgency for an independent province in the country. The group is considered very violent, and was responsible for the Philippines' worst terrorist attack, the bombing of Superferry 14 in 2004, which killed 116 people.

As of 2012, the group was estimated to have between 200 and 400 members, down from 1,250 in 2000. They use mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars, and automatic rifles.


Since its inception in 1991, the group has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations, and extortion in what they describe as their fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines. They have also been involved in criminal activities, including kidnapping, rape, child sexual assault, forced marriage, drive-by shootings, extortion, and drug trafficking, and the goals of the group "appear to have alternated over time between criminal objectives and a more ideological intent".

On 23 July 2014, Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Totoni Hapilon swore an oath of loyalty to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIL. In September 2014, the group began kidnapping people to ransom, in the name of ISIL.

They have recently beheaded several prisoners whom they abducted when the ransoms were not paid, including two Canadians.

Ten of the 14 killed in Friday's blast died instantly, according to Chief Insp. Andrea dela Cerna, Davao Police Regional Office spokesperson. Four others died at nearby hospitals.

Southern Philippines Medical Center director Dr. Leopoldo Vega said 15 people are still listed in critical condition, noting that most of the injuries were caused by shrapnel.

Officials believe Abu Sayyaf orchestrated the attack in retaliation for the Philippine government's military offensive against the group in Jolo, the group's island stronghold in the far south of the Philippines.

Philippine National Police Chief Director, General Ronald dela Rosa said the PNP has three suspects in the incident.

Bounty War: Drug Lords Raise Offer for Philippines Leader’s Head to $1,000,000

Bidding wars in the Philippines

Philippines' president-elect Rodrigo Duterte (C) speaks to journalists in Davao City © Manman Dejeto / AFP

Drug lords have raised the ante for anyone who kills Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, local media report. Over $1 million will be paid for the assassination of the country's new leader, who has recently declared "a bloody war” on drug cartels.

Duterte - 50 mn pesos

The incoming police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said he had received a tip-off from a source saying that raising the reward from 10 million pesos ($216,000) to 50 million pesos ($1,083,845) was the main subject of a meeting between drug lords currently behind bars at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa, Philippines.


Asian Star Building, Muntilupa, Philippines

“What they did not know is that one of those present in the meeting has told me what they discussed,” Dela Rosa told the Manila Bulletin.

When asked how he plans to deal with them, Dela Rosa reportedly replied: “They should be taken out of the NBP horizontally.”

Indeed, that may be the only way to cancel out the reward offer. The drug lords probably just signed their own death warrant.

Last week, the Philippines' president elect urged the public to join his anti-crime fight and pledged to be tougher on local law enforcers and officials found to be protecting and covering up drug lords and other criminal groups.

Drug lords - 5 mn pesos

Duterte, 71, who won the presidential election last month, has publicly acknowledged that his anti-crime campaign would be "a bloody war,” and offered a reward of 5 million pesos ($108,000) for a drug lord “if he is dead.”

“If he is alive, only 4.999 million," he added, laughing, according to AFP.

Duterte, who has been mayor of the southern city of Davao for over 22 years, said he is deaf to criticism that he was promoting a “culture of death.”

Indeed, that is probably the case, but there already is a culture of drugs that is not much better than death. The culture of death is short-term, just until the country is cleaned up. The culture of drugs would otherwise be endless.

Documents released by WikiLeaks allege Duterte has been linked with a vigilante group called the Davao Death Squad. It is suspected of being behind dozens of killings.

“If they [criminals] can’t be talked into changing, let’s kill them,” the Manila Bulletin quoted him as saying.

"If they are there in your neighborhood, feel free to call us, the police or do it yourself if you have the gun. You have my support," he told crowds of cheering supporters.

"If he fights and fights to the death, you can kill him," Duterte, who officially takes office on June 30, suggested.

"I will give you a medal," he added, noting that drug addicts will not be rehabilitated. He warned: "If you are involved in drugs, I will kill you. You son of a whore, I will really kill you."

Ninja Cops - 2 mn pesos

Yesterday, the president of the Philippines took his much criticized war on drugs to another level, placing a bounty on the heads of “ninja” cops protecting drug syndicates. He said they will "face a day of reckoning," announcing a US$43,000 reward on their heads.

"I might be inclined to place a reward on their heads, the members of the ninja or the members of the police who are protecting the drug syndicates in this country. I am placing per head 2 million peso [$43,000]," President Rodrigo Duterte said in a National Heroes Day speech on Monday.

"I want the police and the armed forces to destroy the drug apparatus in this country," he told retired and serving soldiers, government officials, and foreign diplomats.

He also said that officers who are aware of unethical "ninja" cops should "squeal on your friends," Reuters reported.

Last month, Duterte – who came to power in May on a promise to wipe out drugs and dealers – named around 160 officials, judges, police, and soldiers who he said were protecting drug traffickers or selling drugs in their neighborhoods.

Duterte's Wild West Show is Cleaning Up the Streets

8 suspected drug dealers slain

Including one who surrendered to police

Eight suspected drug dealers were shot dead by unidentified men in a span of 24 hours in Caloocan City.

Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine President

The latest victim was Ricardo Enderez who died on Monday.

Reports reaching the office of Senior Supt. Johnny Almazan, Caloocan police head, said Enderez was attacked by two men on a motorcycle.

Police said Enderez was a suspected drug dealer in Caloocan City.

Twenty minutes before Enderez was slain, Jose Andrew Marie Tesorero was also shot dead inside his house by two men in bonnets.

Tesorero was also a suspected notorious drug pusher, police said.

Also on Monday, Alfredo Tablate was shot to death in his house. His killers were also wearing bonnets.

On the same day, Japhet Bacaltos was killed by two men.

Police said Bacaltos,37, was suspected to be involved in drug trafficking in the city.

Police also recorded the killing of Robert Joshua Capili and Glenn Sapolingan at around 1:50 a.m. on Monday.

The two were attacked by six armed men in three motorbikes.

On Sunday, two killing incidents in the city were recorded by the police.

The victims were Michael Mendoza and Adan King Gatdula.

Gatdula was killed inside his house by four men in bonnets.

Meanwhile, a man who had surrendered to authorities and promised to end his illegal drug activities was shot dead by policemen.

Police said Michael Paguia was shot dead because he engaged anti-drug operatives in a gun battle.

It appears Duterte found a solution to his overcrowded prison population.

Philippine President Names Judges, Politicians in Illegal Drug Trade

By Yvette C. Hammett

MANILA, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte named a string of judges and former politicians as being involved with illegal drugs and demanding they surrender or face the consequences.

Several of those on his list, however, are no longer in power, local media reported. One judge on the list, according to The Inquirer newspaper, has been dead for eight years.

Duterte said he would take responsibility for any innocents on the list, BBC reported.

Duterte said the move is prompted by a huge number of citizens who are addicted to illegal drugs.

"If you show the slightest violence in the resistance, I will tell the police, 'Shoot them'," he said.

Duterte said those listed were "destroying the country." He read the list aloud on national television while he was attending a wake for a fallen soldier, the Wall Street Journal reported. He said their involvement in the drug trade was akin to treason.

The Inquirer published the complete list of those on Duterte's list, some whom he threatened to "whack" if they didn't cooperate.

Duterte gave those on his list 24 hours to come forward to their supervising agencies or he would have police and the military hunt them down.

He also said he is removing any official authority those on the list had. "I am removing their operational authority over them. Twenty-four hours, everybody, military police, attached to them, report to your mother unit. I give you 24 hours or I will whack you and dismiss you from the service," he said.

The president called this a matter personal to him. "I'll wait for you, regardless of where. Even if I'm no longer in the presidency for so long as I have gun. If you want, wake me up," Dutete said.

Duterte Justice Begins in Philippines as 5 Drug Suspects Killed

5 drug suspects killed in Philippine capital

Source: Xinhua  

MANILA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Five suspects allegedly involved in illegal drugs were killed Sunday in an encounter with policemen in the Philippine capital.

Law enforcers received information about a group of malefactors allegedly responsible for the transportation of illegal drugs in Quiapo, Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office said.

Police then conducted a surveillance and casing operation in the area; however, several men allegedly fired upon them.

An exchange of fire later led to the death of the five unidentified suspects.

Recovered from the scene were four pistols and about 200 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

Philippine new president Rodrigo Duterte has declared a war against illegal drugs, even tapping military help in fighting the menace.