Pubdate: Mon, 06 Jun 2016
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2016 Associated Press
Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388

PRESIDENT-ELECT URGES KILLING OF DRUG DEALERS

MANILA (AP) - The Philippine president-elect has encouraged the 
public to help him in his war against crime, urging citizens with 
guns to shoot and kill drug dealers who resist arrest and fight back 
in their neighborhoods.

In a televised speech late Saturday, Rodrigo Duterte told a huge 
crowd in the southern city of Davao that Filipinos who help him 
battle crime will be rewarded.

"Please feel free to call us, the police, or do it yourself if you 
have the gun - you have my support," Duterte said, warning of an 
extensive illegal drug trade that involves even the country's police.

If a drug dealer resists arrest or refuses to be brought to a police 
station and threatens a citizen with a gun or a knife, "you can kill 
him," Duterte said. "Shoot him and I'll give you a medal."

The 71-year-old Duterte won the May 9 presidential election on a bold 
promise to end crime and corruption within six months of the start of 
his presidency. The vow resonated among crime-weary Filipinos.

Human rights watchdogs have expressed alarm that his anti-crime drive 
may lead to widespread rights violations. Duterte starts his six-year 
presidential term on June 30.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom