Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jun 2016
Source: Nation, The (Thailand)
Copyright: 2016 Nation Multimedia Group
Contact:  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1963

PHILIPPINES' WAR ON DRUGS: 25 DEALERS SLAIN IN FIVE DAYS

WITH LESS than a week before President-elect Rodrigo Duterte assumes 
office, 25 suspected drug dealers have been killed in the past five 
days as the Philippine National Police (PNP) steps up its anti-narcotics drive.

This contrasts with the 39 drug suspects killed from January 1 to May 
9 this year and the 29 suspects earlier slain from May 10 to June 15.

Latest PNP data showed that 25 drug suspects were killed in police 
operations throughout the Philippines from June 16 to June 20. This 
means five drug suspects killed in police operations each day.

The war against illegal drugs has turned intensive, according to PNP 
spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, because "it's the No 
1 priority of the incoming president".

Speaking at a press briefing in Camp Crame, Mayor said the Calabarzon 
region had the highest number of slain drug suspects at 20.

This was followed by Central Luzon and Central Visayas, with two 
suspects slain each, and northern Mindanao with one suspect killed.

Mayor said that even before Duterte assumes office, the PNP has been 
aggressive in its anticrime campaign.

He said that from June 16 to 20, a total of 552 drug suspects were 
arrested nationwide, with the Calabarzon region recording the biggest 
number of arrests at 206.

Metro Manila came in second with 119 apprehensions, followed by 
Central Luzon with 68 arrests, he added.

He said that as part of police procedures, the PNP investigates all 
deaths, including those from legitimate police operations.

"If a suspect is killed or wounded, there will be an investigation. 
The internal affairs service and the territorial unit conduct the 
investigations," he said.

He said the PNP needs to know the circumstances behind the police 
operations and why the suspects were killed.

- - Philippine Daily Inquirer Asia News Network
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom