Police statistics show that from July 1 to August 19, 2016, police have killed an estimated 712 suspected “drug pushers and users.” “If we would be able to cut the supply we would certainly reduce the demand”, said De la Rosa.
Advertisement
“This has a chilling effect”, said Senator Frank Drilon after the police chief’s deposition.
The senate inquiry was being conducted by Senator Leila de Limaa, a critic of president Rodrigo Duterte, who has launched a crackdown on illegal drug in the seven weeks since he took power.
Duterte has warned legislators not to interfere with his campaign, saying they could be killed if they blocked efforts aimed at improving the country.
The PNP head made the presentation in the Senate at the investigation on alleged extrajudicial killings.
According to Rosa, about 750 of the dead were killed in police operations against drug dealers.
The police does not and will not condone vigilante killings, he said asserting that these have been perpetrated by crime syndicates.
The United States said it was “deeply concerned” by the reports of the extrajudicial killings.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said the United States and European Union members “should make it clear to Duterte that inciting such violence is unacceptable and will reap potentially severe diplomatic and economic costs”.
Duterte has repeatedly said that the killings of drug suspects are lawful if police are acting in self defense.
In Tuesday’s proceeding, senators will take turns asking questions on Dela Rosa and the witnesses that gave testimonies on Monday.
Dela Rosa also said, 9 cops and 3 soldiers have died in the intensified anti-drug campaign. The other killings are under investigation. Among the killings, 40 deaths were due to enmity or robbery, said the police official.
Advertisement
At least 11,321, or 27 percent, of the country’s 42,036 barangays are affected by illegal drugs, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said Tuesday, illustrating the extent of the problem the government is working to solve. There has been speculation in the local media that some of the killings were carried out by corrupt police officers who were wiping out drug peddlers to avoid exposure.
