Connect with us

International

ANTI-DRUG WAR: Kill only if necessary, Duterte tells police

Published

on

UN chief says Philippines president Duterte needs “psychiatric evaluation”

President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has told local police on the front lines of a war on drugs to kill only if necessary, but warned officers their duty was to arrest suspects and kill only in self-defence.

The firebrand leader, now facing the most intense scrutiny so far in his controversial but popular crackdown has stood firmly behind the anti-drug campaign which has seen the killing of thousands of mostly urban poor Filipinos.

“You are not allowed to kill a person that is kneeling down begging for his life. That is murder,” Duterte said in a speech.

Read also: MANILA: 25 people killed in 14 operations as Duterte’s anti-drug war continues

“When I say you get him, it includes doing the arresting and then if there is a violent resistance, they (police) have to defend themselves.”

Kian Loyd Delos Santos, 17, was among more than 90 people killed in three days of intensified police operations last week that marked the bloodiest chapter of a campaign that has alarmed the international community.

Duterte has overtime vowed to kill more in his anti-drug fight and says he will ask the military to help in the war even as rights group reveals police abuses.

He said the country’s drug problem has become a national security threat saying he does not intend to declare martial law, but added that his controversial war against illegal drugs will continue.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now