Philippine police have killed 10 people with suspected links to drugs since President Rodrigo Duterte took office, authorities said today, in a brutal start to his controversial war on crime.
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In a nation where roughly a quarter of the population live below the poverty line – barely changed despite six years of stellar economic growth under outgoing leader Benigno Aquino – his disdain for the wealthy proved a huge vote victor.
Mr Duterte, who for most of the past 30 years was mayor of Davao, has also been linked to a local death squad alleged to have killed over 1,400 people.
The president and Vice President Leni Robredo had their inaugural ceremony held separately at the Malacañang Palace and at the Quezon City Reception House in New Manila, respectively, which is a first in history.
While the decision on the arbitration case might be favorable to the Philippines, “it would also put the country in an awkward position especially with China (in terms of relations)”, Duterte said.
“We can not fight forever”, Duterte said.
Human rights groups have told reporters that they are concerned that Duterte’s comments regarding fighting crime and corruption in the Philippines might lead to rights violations.
Rodrigo Duterte has been sworn in as president of the Philippines, after a landslide election victory in May.
Yet as many observers have noted, Duterte is also seeking US support on the South China Sea issue among others and help in building the island country’s regional clout.
Duterte ran for president on an anti-crime and anti-corruption campaign.
“I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements”, he said.
Duterte in his inaugural speech said that his administration is “committed to implement all signed peace agreements, in step with constitutional and legal reforms”.
“Drugs have reached the hinterlands… what if you use your kangaroo courts to kill them to speed up the solution to our problem”, Mr Duterte said in a speech before the military’s top brass in Manila.
“I’m giving you 48 hours to voluntarily surrender to me”, he said in a speech. You drug pushers, hold-up men and do-nothings, you better go out. He is the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines.
“Definitely if the Philippines backs away somewhat from supporting the U.S.in the South China Sea, this would be a problem for the US”, said Malcolm Cook, a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
After discussions on climate change, cutting red tape and airport congestion, the meeting turned to an imminent ruling by a UN-backed tribunal on a case filed by the Philippines’ previous government against Beijing over competing claims to the South China Sea.
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The analyst said Duterte, who came in “strong and commanding in a positive way”, has displayed early demonstration of what he called as “political will”.
