Tired of critics portraying him as a “cousin of Hitler,” Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said he would be “happy” if his brutal campaign against drugs was as effective as the infamous Nazi leader’s holocaust against the Jews.
“Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now, there are three million drug addicts...I’d be happy to slaughter them,” Duterte said on Friday, speaking upon his arrival in Davao City, on the southern island of Mindanao.
“If Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have...,” he said, pausing to point to himself. “You know my victims. I would like [them] to be all criminals to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition.”
His inflammatory statements come after critics of his controversial war on drugs likened the leader to Adolf Hitler.
Duterte and his campaign against drugs have indeed been slammed by world governments including the US and the European Union, as well as the United Nations.
The leader has lashed out at those passing judgment, calling President Obama a “son of a b**ch/whore” earlier this month, and branding UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a “devil.” He gave the EU a “f**k you,” telling the bloc it is only criticizing the war on drugs in “atonement” for its own “sins.”
Duterte came into power in May on a promise to wipe out drugs and dealers. More than 3,100 people have been killed since the campaign began, either gunned down by authorities in late-night drug operations or murdered by vigilantes.
Those killed are considered to be drug suspects, though many have been misidentified as such. They are murdered before they are charged or given a chance to stand trial. Their bodies are often dumped on the side of the road bearing signs which read “pusher.”
Despite worldwide criticism, Duterte shows no signs of ending the brutal campaign, as has vowed to continue until the end of his term. He has shrugged off all claims that his crackdown has violated human rights.