Speaking at a senate hearing into the sharp rise in deaths since Duterte became president, the police chief Ronald dela Rosa said that a total of 1,916 deaths had been recorded during the crackdown, 756 of which were during police operations. She also expressed her fear that the president’s war on drugs could be an excuse for law enforcement to kill with impunity.
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In a press conference one day prior, President Duterte, nicknamed “Duterte Harry” for his tough, crime-busting reputation, defended the extrajudicial killings of more than 500 drug suspects by police and vigilantes in the eight weeks since he was sworn in.
He gave no explanation for the higher number but said the figures were updated.
Some of the deaths could have been prevented, he said.
Almost 2,000 people have been killed since Duterte was sworn into office on Jun 30 and immediately launched his war on crime, according to the national police chief.
He also said that there was a decline in overall offense, although the variety of murders and homicides had improved.
Duterte, nicknamed “the Punisher”, was voted to power promising to wipe out drugs and warning traffickers they risked death if they did not mend their ways.
Duterte warned China of a “bloody confrontation” if the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) tries to invade his country’s territory.
Jennilyn Olayres, who lost her husband to Duterte’s drug war, appealed to the president to “kill drugs, not people”.
The soaring number of killings by the police in the Philippines is being caused by drug suspects who choose to battle officers instead of surrendering, the nation’s top police official told lawmakers on Tuesday.
“I strongly believe extrajudicial or extralegal killings, whether perpetrated by the state or by non-state actors, must stop”.
Duterte won the May 9 election on a crime-fighting campaign, and has pledged to curb corruption and criminality within three to six months.
“It’s better to continually engage China in a diplomatic dialogue rather than anger whoever the officials there and they cut completely”, Duterte said, adding that possible talks on maritime and security issues would be undermined if ties are strained.
Yasay said Wednesday that Philippine and Chinese authorities could cooperate in the anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa said that the “cases are under investigation” and that he is encouraging officers to fast-track them.
The Chair of the Senate committee Leila De Lima seems to think otherwise.
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“We should also try to get the view of others who approve of what’s happening and see it as … maybe a necessary evil … in the pursuit of greater good”, Pernia told a news briefing.
