By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

President Duterte has revealed that the drugs that caused the death of 19-year-old Ashley Abad, a senior high school student in Cebu last month, did not come from her boyfriend.

“Pumunta dito ang nanay pati tatay (Her parents came here) and of course the loss of a beloved daughter… Nagreklamo sila (They are complaining), they want justice,” he said Wednesday.

“Pero nakita nila, na-recover ng forensics examination pati ‘yung… (But forensics examination showed that) She was the one who was actually texting another girl na maghati sila doon kasi ‘yung isa reserba niya para sa kanyang boyfriend (that they split the drugs because the other one was reserved for her boyfriend),” he added.

According to Duterte, he could not find the strength to reveal this development to Abad’s parents.

“And to make a long shot guess na galing sa boyfriend, eh siya ‘yung may hawak eh. Siya nga nagsabi doon sa text para ito sa boyfriend niya (that it came from the boyfriend when she was the one in possession of it. She said in the text that it was for her boyfriend),” he said.

“So hindi ma-ano sa nanay pati tatay na — you can almo… I wanted to cry with them, not because na sentimental ako by the profound sorrow ng… May anak rin ako eh (So I cannot tell that to her parents. I wanted to cry with them, not because I am sentimental by the profound sorrow. I also have kids),” he added.

Abad allegedly ingested party drugs when she attended the Sinulog party last January 19. Abad reportedly collapsed while at the VIP deck area of the concert venue. She died the following day.

According to reports, Abad’s boyfriend, Nel Spencer Tiu, allegedly gave the party drug ecstasy to his girlfriend. He denied the allegation.

Almost two weeks ago, Duterte revealed he met with Abad’s parents in Malacañang. In a speech, the President slammed human rights advocates anew for being critical of his drug war yet they keep silent whenever someone falls victim to illegal substance.

“Kahapon ‘yung kay Ashley, ‘yung bata na namatay. Parents went there sa opisina ko. Kaganda ng bata, 19 years old, medical student. Ang human rights wala akong narinig sa mga p***** i**** ‘yan (Yesterday Ashley’s parents went to my office. She was a beautiful 19-year-old medical student. Yet the human rights advocates are silent about it),” he had said.

Duterte then stressed that Abad’s death is one of the reasons behind his resolve to end the drug menace.

“Kaya sabi ko, pumasok kayo diyan papatayin ko talaga kayo (That’s why I said when you enter the drug trade, I will really kill you),” he said.

“Ako nagwa-warning. Kaya pagka meron kang anak, meron kang kapatid (That’s why I’m warning you. If you have a child, a sibling), then do not cry. He who is the cause of the cause, is the cause of them all,” he added.

The President then said that he will welcome all charges against him because of his drug war once his term ends.

“Nakikinig ang human rights, judges. Kung wala na ako sa opisina, go ahead make my day. ‘Yung mga galit na pinatay, pinatay ko daw, puntahan mo ako sa bahay (The human rights (advocates) and judges are listening. When I step down as president, go ahead and make my day. Those who are saying that I killed somebody then come to my house),” Duterte said.