Palace shrugs off criticisms over Duterte’s ‘fixation’ on war on drugs

Malacañang on Friday shrugged off criticisms that the government failed to detect signs of the ISIS-linked terror attack because President Rodrigo Duterte's focus was on his campaign against illegal drugs.

At a press briefing in Davao City, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella dismissed comments from analysts about Duterte's so-called “fixation” on the government’s war on drugs.

“Let me remind you that as early as August last year, or one and half months after PRRD assumed the presidency, the President already told the Philippine military to be ready with ISIS and warned that the country would be plagued with the ISIS disease,” Abella said.

Abella then quoted Duterte’s speech in August 2016, wherein the President “made a fine distinction between ISIS and the Muslim communities.”

“He also was pointing it out as of last year that there was indeed that looming danger except that at that particular stage, it was the stage of indoctrination. However, already it was perceived even during that time,” Abella said.

Abella was reacting to a newspaper report quoting political analysts who said that the campaign against illegal drugs “overshadowed” the war on terrorism.

In December last year, Duterte dared the Maute group to “go ahead, do it” when the ISIS-inspired group said they will “go down upon Marawi to burn the place.”

On Thursday, Dutere said he was optimistic that the ongoing firefight with the Maute group will end “in a matter of days.”

Duterte has declared a 60-day martial law in Mindanao following the attack of the Maute. The declaration is set to lapse next month.

Meanwhile, Abella said Duterte’s invitation for “international partners” to help rebuild Marawi was not an indication that there is a humanitarian crisis in the city.

“[That] is not synonymous to humanitarian crisis.We have said in numerous occasions that we welcome foreign assistance in the Marawi situation, especially in the rehab and reconstruction and recovery phase, especially now that the troops are about to liberate the city from lawless elements,” Abella said.

“It is normal for friends and allies to support each other.  And after all, we have our shared commitment with other countries to combat terrorism and attain sustainable peace,” he said.

Abella said the government is preparing a “Bangon Marawi” plan that would address both short and long-term needs of the city. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News