Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte raised the rhetoric over his bloody anti-crime war to a new level Friday, comparing it to Hitler and the Holocaust and saying he would be "happy to slaughter" 3 million addicts. Duterte issued his latest threat against drug dealers and users early Friday on his return from a visit to Vietnam, where he discussed his anti-drug campaign with Vietnamese leaders and compared notes on battling the problem, the AP reports. "Hitler massacred 3 million Jews ... there's 3 million drug addicts. There are. I'd be happy to slaughter them," Duterte said.
The Philippine government estimates there are 3 million drug addicts in the country. Historians say that 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis under Hitler during World War II. "If Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have..." Duterte said before pointing to himself, reports Reuters. "You know my victims. I would like (them) to be all criminals to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition." More than 3,000 suspected drug users and dealers have been killed since Duterte took power June 30, including the daughter of a British lord. (More Rodrigo Duterte stories.)