Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang questioned the state of Davao City’s anti-drug campaign after Mayor Sebastian Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of bringing back illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption under his administration.
During a Reform Alliance for Accountability and Good Governance and Ethics (RAGE) event in Davao City over the weekend, Duterte also accused Marcos of seeking to extend his term through charter change.
“Anong achievement nito, binalik ang droga, binalik ang kriminalidad, binalik ang korapsyon at yung p*ina gusto pa magpatagal ng termino niya,” Duterte said.
[Translation: What achievement does he have? He brought back drugs, criminality, corruption, and that son of a b** even wants to extend his term.]
But Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro cited recent drug operations in Davao City, the political bailiwick of the Duterte family.
“Katulad po nito, noong May 14, 2026, meron pong nasabat na halagang ₱15.6 million shabu mismo sa Davao City operation. Hindi po ba sakop niya ito?” Castro said.
[Translation: For example, on May 14, 2026, authorities seized ₱15.6 million in shabu in an operation in Davao City itself. Isn’t that under his jurisdiction?]
“Kaya nga po bakit sa Davao City ay may nahuhuli kung naging epektibo po yung sinasabi nilang war on drugs?” she added.
[Translation: So why are illegal drugs still being seized in Davao City if the war on drugs they are talking about was effective?]
Castro said the administration continues anti-drug operations far off from the previous administration’s campaign.
“Sa ngayon po, wala po tayong EJK pero marami pong nasasabat ang ating mga law enforcers para masawata ang iligal na droga,” she said.
[Translation: Right now, we do not have extrajudicial killings but our law enforcers are seizing many illegal drugs to curb the drug problem.]
The Palace official also took a swipe at former President Rodrigo Duterte, who remains detained in The Hague, Netherlands over crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court.
“Patuloy po ang administrasyon na ito para panagutin ang dapat managot. Ang isa po na umamin na corrupt at nagnakaw sa pondo ng bayan ay nasa The Hague na po,” Castro said.
[Translation: This administration continues to hold accountable those who should answer for their actions. One person who admitted being corrupt and stealing public funds is now in The Hague.]
No ‘undeclared martial law’
Castro also rejected the Davao mayor’s claim that an “undeclared martial law” is in place.
“Hindi po ito sinasawata ng pangulo. Mas naramdaman ito sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte,” Castro said, referring to freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
[Translation: The president is not suppressing these freedoms. These were felt more during the time of former President Duterte.]
“Marami ang mga taga-media na tumutol sa ginagawang pagkitil ng freedom of the press and freedom of expression sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte,” she added.
[Translation: Many members of the media opposed the suppression of freedom of the press and freedom of expression during former President Duterte’s time.]
