And while telling human rights groups not to obstruct the government’s campaign, he also said that if any of the accused were charged in court, they would receive the due process of law.
Advertisement
Since Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs started, 402 drug suspects had been killed nationwide from July 1 to August 2, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). More than 500,00 people surrendered as either drug addicts or illegal drug dealers across the country. More than 300 organizations involved in issues related to drug production, trafficking and use appealed to worldwide drug-control agencies to help stop the killings and to tell Duterte they “do not constitute acceptable drug control measures”. They included eight judges, as well as five retired and current generals.
Duterte’s spokesman Martin Andanar later said that criminal cases would be filed against those named. “I give you 24 hours or I will whack you and dismiss you from the service”, he said.
He also state he would take full responsibility if the named turned out to be innocent. The judges he named were ordered to report to the Supreme Court.
Mr. Duterte yesterday said he is prepared to divert money intended for other government programs to prioritize the purchase of more explosives and ammunition for soldiers fighting the 45-year old communist insurgency.
Duterte ordered their security escorts withdrawn and cancelled their firearms permits, adding that they would face sanctions.
Prior to be elected, Duterte promised to eliminate drug dealing in the Philippines within six months by “shoot to kill” orders, reported The Washington Post.
Over 800 alleged drug abusers and traffickers have died in the Philippines since Duterte came into power.
Vice President Leni Robredo, who is on a trip to the USA, said media can do a lot to help raise awareness on the need to stop the killings.
Last Friday, he stood firm on his “shoot-to-kill” order against drug dealers, and said he “does not care about human rights”.
AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya said the military will support the advocacy against illegal drugs in the Philippines, ensuring a “high standard of discipline and professionalism is enforced”.
“I am a human being. That is all it takes for me to stand up and say “enough”, Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in a message read at all Catholic masses in his archdiocese.
More than 300 civil society groups around the world signed joint letters calling on the International Narcotics Control Board and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to urge an immediate stop to the extrajudicial killings.
Advertisement
He said the largely Catholic Philippines was becoming a “killing fields nation” for tolerating the violence. Some have admitted using illegal drugs but denied allegations they are protectors.
