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| Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte |
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte linked himself to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler Friday, saying he would be “happy” to kill three million drug users and criminals as one way to "finish the problem."
Duterte, who has asked the Senate for an extension on his war on drugs, previously said human rights investigations would not stop him from continuing to crack down on addicts.
“Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now, there are three million drug addicts … I’d be happy to slaughter them,” Duterte said in Davao City after an official visit to Vietnam.
He said critics have portrayed him as “cousin” of the Nazi leader. Duterte added that if Germany had Hitler, then the Philippines would have him.
“You know my victims. I would like [them] to be all criminals and to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition,” he said.
During the speech, Duterte said the United States and Europe could call him anything, but he was never “into hypocrisy like you,” referring to countries that turn back Syrian refugees.
“You close your doors. It’s winter time. There are migrants escaping from the Middle East. You allow them to rot and you’re worried about the death of about one thousand, or two thousand, or three thousand?” he asked.
Duterte took office June 30 after winning a presidential election last May. He has vowed to end corruption and drugs in the country of 100 million people.
Reports say that since Duterte took office, more than 3,000 people have been killed by police and vigilantes for alleged drug use or peddling.
This story first appeared on Voice of America & is reposted here with permission.