KILLING DRUG OFFENDERS NOT AN OPTION FOR ALYANSA SENATE BETS – MARCOS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday said that the senatorial candidates of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas are not in favor of the idea of killing drug offenders to put an end to the illegal drugs trade.

Marcos told a campaign rally in Santa Rosa City, Laguna that the administration’s candidates believe that the passage of a law empowering the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local government units (LGUs) is the “right solution” to address drug proliferation and maintain peace and order.

“Sa laban naman sa krimen, alam niyo po, wala po dito sa amin ang naniniwala na ang paglaban sa krimen, na ang paglaban sa droga ay kailangang pumatay ng libu-libong Pilipino. Hindi po ganoon ang tamang paraan upang pagandahin ang kapayapaan, upang labanan ang krimen, upang pabagsakin ang mga drug lord. Hindi po pumatay ng Pilipino,”said Marcos.

The President said the Alyansa Senate bets believe that killing is not the right way to improve peace, to fight crime, and to bring down drug lords.

“Sumulat po tayo ng mga batas na tunay na magbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa ating mga kapulisan, sa ating mga local government leaders para maitigil lahat ng mga nangyayaring krimen, para ma-itigil lahat po ng mga nangyayaring pagkalat ng droga para sirain ang buhay ng ating mga kabataan,” the President said.

Marcos reiterated that the Alyansa ticket’s goal is to promote the Filipinos’ interests and welfare.

The President also said his preferred candidates also support his firm stance to defend the Philippines from any foreign power, including those that are considered “powerful.”

He assured voters of the coalition’s commitment to help his administration in combating poverty, illegal drugs and crime.

“Magtulungan po tayo, mag-alyansa po tayo ulit upang labanan ang kahirapan, upang labanan ang krimen, upang labanan ang mga drug lord dito sa Pilipinas. Ito po, hinaharap ko sa inyo ang ating Alyansa na siyang gagawa at siyang magta-trabaho upang pabalikin ang kapayapaan dito sa ating minamahal na Pilipinas,” he said.

Among the senatorial candidates under the Alyansa ticket are former Interior secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, incumbent Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino, former senators Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao and Vicente Sotto III; and House lawmakers Erwin Tulfo and Camille Villar.