Rodrigo Duterte: Philippines president suggests deadly war on drug dealers will get even ‘bloodier’

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte warned on Wednesday his signature anti-narcotics campaign will be even harsher in the future, signalling no let-up in a bloody crackdown that has alarmed the international community.

Mr Duterte won the presidency by a wide margin in 2016 on promises of eradicating drugs and crime, and recent opinion polls indicate broad support for him and for the crackdown.

The support has maintained despite widespread allegations of police cover-ups and summary killings resulting from weak intelligence.

Duterte said the drugs problem was a national security issue.

“I will not allow my country to end up a failed state because of drugs,” he said in a speech.

He also claimed the discovery of “floating” cocaine packages washed up on the shores of the Philippines proved international cartels were bringing drugs into the country, according to the Manila Bulletin.

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