2016-08-22 16:13:00

Philippine senators investigate hundreds of drugs killings


Philippine senators opened an inquiry Monday into the killings of more than 1,700 suspected drug dealers and users amid a crackdown spearheaded by President Rodrigo Duterte, with witnesses accusing some policemen of gunning down suspects or being involved in illegal drugs.  Sen. Leila de Lima, who heads the Senate justice committee leading the investigation, said that she was worried about the widespread killings, and that law enforcers and vigilantes may be using the crackdown ``to commit murder with impunity.''

At least 1,779 drug suspects have been killed, including 712 who were gunned down in clashes with police, with the rest being slain in still-unclear circumstances, possibly by anti-vigilantes, national police chief Director-General Ronald dela Rosa told the senators, adding that he did not condone extrajudicial killings.  Another senator, Antonio Trillanes IV, asked dela Rosa why the police have failed to stop the spate of killings perpetrated by suspected anti-crime vigilantes, including motorcycle-riding gunmen.

The high number of deaths has alarmed human rights groups and leaders of the dominant Catholic Church, as well as the United States and U.N.-appointed human rights experts, who have warned the Philippine government and its officials that they could be held liable amid the widespread killings. 

Duterte, who built a name as a tough crime-busting mayor before rising to the presidency in June, has repeatedly threatened criminals, especially drug dealers, with death.

The Ecumenical Bishops Forum that brings together Catholic and Protestant bishops of the Philippines has called for a "deeper analysis" of the spate of killings in the country that have been linked to the government's anti-narcotics campaign. The bishops warned that the killings will only "exacerbate" the problem of illegal drugs.  They also noted that most of those killed are "small time and poor people."  (Source:AP/UCAN)

 

 








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