Rodrigo Duterte, the 16th president of the Philippines, has made a reputation as a tough-as-nails leader who does not make any compromises in his country's war against drugs.
Since he assumed leadership on June 30 this year, more than 3,000 suspected drug users and pushers have already been killed by unknown assailants and the police. A lot of people, particularly human rights activists, have been crying foul over the President's ruthless tactics.
But Filipino boxing champ and now Senator Manny Pacquiao fully supports Duterte. In fact, the Christian boxer said God "anointed" Duterte's presidency so he can discipline the Filipino people.
"God put him there for a reason, for purpose — to discipline the people," he said, adding that the people had to respect "the anointed one."
"In the past administrations, people didn't respect the law, the leader, the authorities," he said in a recent interview with Reuters at his Senate office. "What Duterte is trying to do is let the people know — and put it in their hearts and minds — that you need to respect the law of the land."
Pacquiao also admitted during the interview that he used to dally in "many kinds of drugs, all kinds of drugs" before he accepted Jesus Christ into his life. Duterte does not know his past experience with drugs, but Pacquiao is confident that it would not mar their relationship now.
Duterte "always gives a chance to people who want to be changed," Pacquiao said. "He's a very nice person, a nice guy. He is a respectful person, a hospitable person, a friendly person."
Pacquiao first met Duterte when he was only 22 or 23 years old. Since then, the two would often meet to have meals. Pacquiao even stood as godfather to the President's grandson. Pacquiao fondly calls the President by his nickname, "Digong."
He said it's unfair for people to blame Duterte for the killings, since the blame should be placed on the drug lords and pushers who are killing each other.
