Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jun 2016 Source: Philippine Star (Philippines) Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2016 Contact: http://www.philstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622 Author: Cecille Suerte Felipe 25 DRUG SUSPECTS KILLED IN 5 DAYS At least 25 suspects in illegal drug operations were neutralized in just five days of police operations in Luzon and the Visayas, bringing to 58 the number of crime suspects killed after the May 9 elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor stressed there is a presumption of regularity in police operations despite the increasing number of suspects killed by law enforcers. "Part of the investigation is to determine the circumstances behind the operation and why the suspects were killed," Mayor said. Some sectors have expressed alarm over the increasing number of people killed in anti-illegal drug operations by the police, notably after tough-talking Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte emerged the winner in the May 9 presidential elections. Duterte made a campaign promise to eradicate crime and illegal drugs in the first six months of his presidency. Mayor assured the public that there are mechanisms to check abuses of policemen. He cited PNP units like the Internal Affairs Service and the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management ( DIDM), who are working to determine any wrongdoing of policemen. "This is to avoid the negative perception and at the same time, for us to know the truth about the involvement of policemen (in the death of the drug suspects). And if they are involved, then they deserve to be removed from the service," Mayor said. Quoting DIDM documents, Mayor said 25 drug suspects were killed from June 16 to June 20 alone, or an average of five people a day over five days in separate police operations in Luzon and the Visayas. DIDM records showed Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) regional police registered the most number of 20 illegal drug suspects killed, two each in Central Luzon and Central Visayas, and another in Northern Mindanao. The statistics from June 16 to 20, or five days, almost equaled the deaths of 29 people during the previous 36 days. "The reason those suspects were killed was because there was a shootout between the police and the suspects. The lawmen involved were abiding by operational procedures. There (was) imminent danger on their part," Mayor said. Mayor added the police operations against illegal drugs are just complying with the policy of the incoming president. "The intensity of the operations against illegal drugs, which he ( Duterte) is really against, is pushing the PNP. This is why our policemen are focused on the illegal drugs campaign because the focus of the incoming president is... against illegal drugs," Mayor added. Duterte had vowed to cleanse the country of illegal drugs and wanted Congress to reenact the death penalty law, with death by hanging as one of its features. Human rights issue On Wednesday, Duterte, who has pummeled critics of his strong anti-crime drive, said he would just ignore Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Chito Gascon, who has been critical of his plans. "If you know Gascon or if he is your friend, tell him I won't follow him," Duterte said during an event in Sarangani province. Earlier this week, Duterte told a group of businessmen that he will not listen to Gascon, whom he earlier called an "idiot" following the CHR resolution that found him liable of violating the Magna Carta of Women in connection with his rape remark. Gascon, however, said he would welcome an opportunity to meet with Duterte despite his controversial statements. "He's the chief executive, the head of state. I know he's a busy person. I'm willing to wait, if the opportunity presents itself," Gascon told The STAR in an interview yesterday. "The Commission on Human Rights is ready, willing and able to engage with the Duterte administration on matters of human rights," he added. While he is willing to meet with the president-elect, Gascon said he is also not ruling out the possibility that the incoming chief executive will ignore him and his office. "He's not inclined to cooperate with us, but we will not stop trying. Human rights is far too important as an issue and as an agenda that when he says he does not want to talk to us, we'll give up," Gascon said. Amid calls for the commission's abolition, the CHR chief stressed that they would continue to perform their mandate until such time that Charter change directs the dissolution of their office. The creation of CHR was prescribed by the 1987 Constitution that was crafted after the fall of the dictatorship. "I hope not," Gascon said when asked about the removal of the human rights agency in the Charter. "Human rights is just as important, and it's not just me and my job, but the ideal and the vision of human rights." Despite the attacks from the president-elect, Gascon said he will not step down from office and would continue to fulfil his function until the end of his term in 2022. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom