President Duterte, in his speech during the Baden Powell Day of the World Scout Organization of the Scout Movement and Investiture Ceremony of the Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, urges the scouts in attendance to stay away from illegal drugs and become law abiding citizens for he believes that the children and the youth are the future of the country. Richard Madelo, Malacanang Photo

MANILA- Avoiding profanities, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday faced young boy scouts in Malacañang for the first time as their chief scout, and told them that he kills people who take advantage of the youth.

"Di ako mag-say ng bad words, yung patay lang, maraming patay sa punerarya," Duterte told boy scouts.

(I will not say bad words, just talk about the dead. There are many dead people in funeral parlors.)

Dressed in a scout uniform, Duterte told the children that he really kills people and would not hesitate to do so if young people are at risk.

"Talagang pumapatay ako ng tao pag ginalaw ninyo ang mga anak namin," he said.

(I would really kill if you harm our children.)

"Papatay ako ng tao pag ginalaw ninyo ang kabataan namin kasi kayo ang magiging mayor, presidente bukas. Dapat pa lang ngayon gagwardiyahan ko na kayo, talagang mahigpit ako," he added.

(I would kill a person if you harm the children because the children will become our future mayors and president. As early as now, I should be protecting you. I'm really strict.)

The President added that he wants young scouts to grow up and join the college-based Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) to learn how to fire a gun.

"Kaya gusto ko lumaki kayong mag boy scout… ROTC para may training kayo sa baril, para marunong kayo makipag laban," he said.

(I want you to grow up as boy scouts... ROTC so that you can train how to use a gun, so that you know how to fight.)

He also spoke of the ill effects of illegal drug use and explained his bloody crackdown.

"Kaya ako galit sa droga kasi pag tanda namin, kayo mag-alaga samin… Eh kung puro bangag kayo sa droga, paano na kami?" he said.

(I am mad at drugs because when we grow old, you will be left to care for us. If all of you are high on drugs, what will happen to us?)

As a parting remark, Duterte echoed the national hero in asking the children to love their country.

"Always love your country. Alam niyo bakit? Isa lang ang bayan natin, wala nang iba. Maasahan ba namin kayo na kayo na magbantay?" he said.

(You know why? We only have one country. Can we trust you to guard our country?)