Pubdate: Thu, 25 Aug 2016
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2016, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Authors: Michael Delizo and Llanesca T. Panti

DRUG KILLINGS PROOF OF LAWLESSNESS - AI

THE wave of "terrifying" drug killings is an indication of 
lawlessness and not crime control, human rights group Amnesty 
International (AI) said on Wednesday.

The group issued the statement after Philippine National Police chief 
Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa informed the Senate that unidentified persons 
or groups have killed at least 1,067 people while the police shot 
dead more than 712 drug suspects in legitimate operations since July 1.

"[The killings] is a terrifying indication that the authorities are 
grossly failing in their obligations to respect and protect the right 
to life," Amnesty said.

The London-based organization stressed that the recent confession and 
obvious knowledge of authorities on the volume of citizens killed 
"have further endangered the right to life."

When he appeared at the Senate on Monday, dela Rosa pledged that all 
allegations of murder and extrajudicial executions by police will be 
investigated.

But AI said an independent police complaints commission should be set 
up to investigate extrajudicial killings.

The commission, Amnesty suggested, should have the mandate to receive 
complaints and other reports of human rights violations committed by 
the police, be required to report publicly on its activities and have 
the mandate and resources to provide protection to complainants, 
victims and witnesses.

"Incitement to violence and discrimination are prohibited under 
international law and risk escalating a cycle of violence in the 
country. The unlawful and deliberate killing carried out by order of 
a state actor, or with the state's complicity or acquiescence, is an 
extrajudicial execution. This is a crime under international law," it said.

"States have an obligation to investigate and prosecute credible 
allegations of murder and extrajudicial executions and bring those 
suspected of criminal responsibility before justice in fair trials," 
Amnesty added.

Drug peddlers

The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) said more than 45,000 
"self-confessed" illegal drug peddlers have turned themselves in 
since the Duterte Administration implemented an intensified crackdown 
on drug users and pushers.

Felipe Rojas Jr., head of DDB, told members of the House of 
Representatives that 45,799 drug pushers surrendered while 518, 310 
drug users have turned themselves in as of August 11.

Rojas briefed members of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs 
chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers on Wednesday.

Because of the avalanche of surrenderers, Rojas sought amendments to 
the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act noting that there is no 
standard system of evaluation for those who have confessed to being drug users.

"Under existing laws, there has to be an issuance of a court order 
for a drug user to be admitted in a rehabilitation facility. This 
rule clogs up our processes, that's why we are pushing that drug 
users be admitted in a rehabilitation facility based on the 
recommendation of the doctors from our Department of Health," he told 
lawmakers.

There are 47 drug rehabilitation centers across the country, but 
there are only three rehabilitation centers for outpatients.

"In that way, there will be a streamlining of processes for treatment 
and rehabilitation of drug users. With a court order as a 
requirement...the DDB has only three lawyers, and that figure is 
certainly not enough to secure court orders needed for the 
rehabilitation of the drug users," Rojas, a former police general, added.

He said while authorities are gaining a headway in the campaign 
against illegal drugs, "we have a long way to go to defeat this menace."

Rojas urged the Congress to amend the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs 
Act by changing the definition of a drug den/dive/resort to include 
concert venues. He also called for higher fines and longer jail time 
for those convicted of drug possession and sale; plea bargain deals 
so that street pushers will be able to identify big-time drug lords.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom