Extrajudicial killings have been going on for a long time in Davao —Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said extrajudicial killings have been going on for a long time in Davao.

"So even in the matter of the elements of progress, ang Davao is in the forefront and only because we decided nga gisabot ko ninyo. Kay niadto pa man nang extrajudicial killing (that you have to understand me because extrajudicial killing has been going on for a long time)," Duterte said in his speech at the miting de avance of Hugpong ng Pagbabago-Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod in Davao City.

"Ang wa makaantos nganha, dili ang mga taga-Davao, mga pari, kay nakasabot sila. Kung dili, katong mga obispo nga naa sa mga elitista sa Manila (The people who can't stomach it are not from Davao because those who are from Davao would understand. But the ones who can't understand are the bishops and the elitists in Manila)," the President added.

"Tan-awa ang Davao. Tan-awa ang Davao. Naa ba tay problema pareho — naa ta'y problema. Naay droga, naay patay, naay kawat? Wala. (Look at Davao. Do we have a problem on — we have a problem. Are there illegal drugs, killings, and robbery? None)," Duterte said.

"Ngano man? Gipangpatay nato ang mga ngil-ad nga tao. Ang nangabuhi ang mga pulis. Og naa pu'y pulis, kamo mamatyan mo, mangutana ko, 'Ngayong namatay ka man nga ikaw man unta'y maoy naay armas? Nganong nagpauna ka man?' (Why? We killed bad people. The policemen survived. If a cop dies, I would say, 'Why did you die when you have a gun? Why did you let them kill you?')," he added.

Duterte has long been criticized for extrajudicial killings in the administration's war on drugs.

He was also linked by retired cop Arthur Lascañas to extrajudicial killings in Davao City during his term as mayor. —KG, GMA News