Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (Source: VNA) In the two-hour address, he said his critics at home andabroad should focus on using their influence to educate Filipino drug addicts.
He pledged to build armed forces over the next two yearsthat could fight on all fronts by recruiting additional 35,000 – 40,000soldiers, buying more planes, unmanned aerial vehicles and other modernequipment to cope with rising security threats in the country.
About the military campaign targeting Islamic militants inthe south, he said protecting civilians and hostages in the conflict zone is ofparamount importance. Duterte also defended his decision last week to extendmartial law across the southern region of Mindanao until the end of the year.
He added that the Philippine government will issue a new lawon mining and consider ending mineral export.-VNA
VNA
