Duterte refers to Hitler while defending drug killings

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines (AA) – Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has lashed out at critics who have compared him to Adolf Hitler, before referring to the Holocaust in saying that he would be “happy to slaughter” 3 million drug addicts.

“So if you are here, why wouldn't you curse? You're portrayed or pictured to be some cousin of Hitler,” The Philippine Star quoted him as telling reporters Friday upon his return to Davao City from a visit to Vietnam.

"Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now, there are three million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them," he added.

Duterte has repeatedly slammed critics of his bloody campaign against illegal drugs -- which include the United States, the United Nations and the European Union -- often using expletive-laden statements.

According to the Philippines national police, more than 3,000 drug-related killings have been reported since Duterte assumed office June 30.

Of the 3,000 deaths, around 1,490 are under investigation as of Sept. 10 with authorities blaming suspected vigilante groups.

“You know my victims,” Duterte said Friday. “I would like [them] to be all criminals to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition."

He again slammed those he accuses of meddling in his government's crackdown on drug traffickers, pushers and peddlers by saying, “U.S., EU you can call me anything but I was never into or I am never into hypocrisy like you."

Duterte won the May 9 election on a crime-fighting campaign, and has pledged to curb corruption and criminality within three to six months.

Earlier this month, he requested a six-month extension of his “self-imposed” timeline, saying, “I did not realize how severe and how serious the problem of drug menace in this Republic until I became President.”