MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte yesterday identified three incumbent and former Mindanao officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade as he warned anew that the drug menace is “corrupting” the country and posing a threat to the next generation.

Accused of involvement in the narcotics business are former Iligan congressman Vicente Belmonte Jr.; Lugait, Misamis Oriental Mayor Wellie Lim and former Iligan mayor Lawrence Cruz.

Duterte identified the three after showing his thick list of politicians believed to have links in the illicit drug trade during the awarding of outstanding overseas Filipino individuals and organizations in Malacañang.

During the awarding rites of outstanding government workers also yesterday, the President said the list contains about 2,000 barangay captains, municipal mayors, a few governors and congressmen.

“This is the drug industry of the Philippines. In here are the names of municipal m

De Lima, who was accused of receiving millions in campaign funds from drug lords, was included in the “challengers” category for “standing up to an extremist leader.”

“We have been corrupted and this is why I cry every night,” the President said.

Duterte also cited Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot, who claimed that he earned P100 million from his businesses.

“Even if it’s true that I’ll kill them with bullets, I will run out of time and bullets to do it,” Duterte added.

He has linked about 160 incumbent and former government officials to the narcotics trade. More than 5,000 suspected drug offenders have been killed since Duterte assumed the presidency last June 30.

The President has given the House of Representatives, Senate and the Supreme Court copies of the drug list, admitting that he cannot solve the problem alone.

While he reiterated that he does not endorse extrajudicial killings, Duterte said drug addicts should stop if they want to stay alive.

“We are fighting a losing battle here. Stop drugs or I’ll kill you. You want to stay alive? Stop drugs. You want death? Go on with the drugs. That’s simple,” Duterte said.

“Until the last pusher is out of the streets in my country, until the biggest of drug lords are killed, this campaign against drugs will continue until the last day of my term,” he added.

“I don’t enjoy killing but… the four million (addicts) must be stopped… Somehow I must stop it or it will continue to contaminate (the country),” the President also said.

ayors, almost all barangay captains and a senator who was named at the same time and she was glorified with an award in Washington DC,” he said.

Duterte was referring to his critic Sen. Leila de Lima, who was named one of 100 Foreign Policy Global Thinkers.