Metro Manila (CNN PhilipRodrigo Duterte will not ban concerts like the recent weekend music festival that pines) — was marred by the deaths of five people but he will direct stricter measures for such events after he assumes the presidency to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.
He told reporters in Davao City in a late Monday news conference that government cannot prohibit public gatherings such as concerts or frisk people because that would be “too fascistic.”
“But we can always regulate,” he said. “We’ll scatter government security (personnel) to smell around and to arrest (law breakers) immediately.”
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has reported that an autopsy indicated at least two of the five people died of a drug overdose.
The five included two teenagers and an American who attended the 12-hour ‘Closeup Summer Forever’ music festival at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City that ended early Sunday.
What we know so far: The Closeup ‘Forever Summer’ concert tragedy
Duterte said that since he hasn’t assumed office yet, he will let the Pasay City government and the local police continue their investigations to find out if illegal drugs were to blame for the deaths.
Officials involved in drug syndicates are warned
The Davao City mayor, known for his tough anti-drug stand, warned police and local officials involved with drug syndicates to quit or leave the service before he takes office on June 30.
He said he will name them publicly and order their arrest.
“May isang general diyan. Naglalaro ka diyan, alam ko. Kung may naipon ka na, sibat ka na lang para hindi tayo mag-away [There is one general. I know you are in the game. If you have saved enough (money), you better leave to avoid any fight with me],” he said.
He added he will order a lifestyle check on officers linked to drugs with “magandang bahay [beautiful homes].”
A number of local officials seem to have been encouraged by Duterte’s brand of fighting crime like Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili, who parades suspected drug pushers and users around his town.
Duterte said he’s all for it.
“OK lang [It’s okay] and I will support him. I’ll give him all the legal advice, as a lawyer,” Duterte said.
Support for medical marijuana
Duterte, who said he has seen some of his friends get high on marijuana when he was a young man, doesn’t support its legalization, but he backs medical marijuana.
“It is really an ingredient of modern medicine now. There are medicines right now being developed or already in the market that contains marijuana as a component but used for medical purposes,” Duterte explained.
CNN Philippines senior correspondent Ina Andolong contributed to this report.
