Pacquiao says he was 'naive' drug user

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In this photo taken on November 11, 2021, Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao gestures during an interview with AFP at his residence in Manila. Philippines presidential hopeful Manny Pacquiao, a backer of his country's brutal war on drugs that has killed thousands, told AFP he was "naive" when he took narcotics in his youth and did not know he was breaking the law.

AFP / Jam Sta Rosa

 

MANILA, Philippines — Philippines presidential hopeful Manny Pacquiao says he was "naive" and ignorant of the law when he took crystal meth in his youth, but argues offenders today know drugs are illegal and should be punished.

 

Pacquiao, a retired world champion boxer, has been a high-profile backer of President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs that has killed thousands of people.

 

But in the lead up to the 2022 elections, Pacquiao has sought to distance himself from the outgoing Duterte, who is facing an international probe into his bloody crackdown, and now says offenders should have a "chance to defend themselves".

 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/11/23/2143291/pacquiao-says-he-was-naive-drug-user

 

-- © Copyright Philstar 2021-11-23