FACT-CHECK: Duterte denies calling Marcos Jr. a drug addict

CLAIM: Duterte: Kung sabihin mong addict, wala akong sinabi na ganoon. Patayin ako ni Marcos niyan. Maawa ka naman sa’kin, matanda na ako.

RATING: FALSE

Former president Rodrigo Duterte made the false claim that he did not accuse President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. of being a drug addict.

Duterte made the denial during an interview where he said he had never accused the president of being a cocaine addict.

Duterte said:

Wala akong sinabi na ganoon. Even if you kill me a thousand times, wala akong sinabi. Making, taking a drug. Pero kung sabihin mong addict, wala akong sinabi na ganoon. Patayin ako ni Marcos niyan. Maawa ka naman sa’kin, matanda na ako.

However, during a prayer rally in Davao City on Jan. 28, Duterte accused Marcos, Jr. of being a cocaine user. He even made the false claim that Marcos Jr. was in the illegal drug watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

He said in the 3:33:34 to 3:33:52 mark:

“Noong ako po ay mayor, pinakitaan ako ng evidence ng PDEA. Doon sa listahan, nandoon pangalan mo [Marcos].”

He also said in the 3:52:30 – 3:53:08 mark:

That’s why sinasabi ko na sa inyo ngayon – si Bongbong Marcos bangag noon. Ngayong presidente bangag natin ang presidente. Kayong mga military alam ninyo yan. Lalo na yong nasa Malacanang. Alam ninyo. The Armed Forces of the Philippines alam ninyo na may drug addict tayo na presidente.”

The PDEA has debunked the false claims of their former boss.

“The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) categorically states that President Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr is not in its watch list, contrary to the statement of former President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming that “when he was the Mayor of Davao, he was shown evidence by PDEA that in the list, the name of the president was there,” part of the statement read. — Rommel F. Lopez  

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