He said the military and police had compiled the list which he insisted was not coloured by politics or personal links, adding that some of those named were even his friends. “There is no due process in my mouth”, he said Sunday. Furthermore, Duterte has dared opposing politicians to stop him and has promised to protect police officers who may be criticized for executing campaign.
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Since Duterte took office at the end of June, his war against drugs have left hundreds of suspected drug dealers dead and thousands more arrested, while hundreds of thousands have turned themselves in to authorities.
Human rights groups have condemned the killings and urged Duterte to take steps to ensure that the rights of suspects are respected and that the rule of law is upheld, while cracking down on illegal drugs. “I’ll dismiss you from the service”, he said in Davao City. Twenty-four hours, everybody, military police, attached to them, report to your mother unit.
They include eight judges, as well as five current and retired generals.
Mr Duterte also ordered that the gun licences of those named be revoked.
He justified his reading of the list, saying he has a sworn duty to inform the public about the state of “narco-politics” in the country.
Since Duterte took office on June 30, almost 500 suspects have been killed in his administration’s anti-drug campaign. Almost 600,000 people have surrendered to authorities, hoping to avoid getting killed.
“I am a human being”.
Church leader Archbishop Socrates Villegas issued a statement, read in churches Sunday in his northern district, expressing deep concerns over the killings of drugs suspects and lamenting a lack of widespread outrage over the deaths.
“Is not humanity going down to the dregs when bloodthirsty humans encourage the killers and ask for more blood?”
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“I do not care”, he said. You do not do that, I will order the armed forces of the Philippines and the entire P.N.P. Three of the soldiers were killed by a land mine blast, the military said. He warned that if anyone else dies from a rebel land mine attack, he would call off peace talks that are scheduled to start August 20 in Norway.
