Malacañang yesterday stressed that President Duterte does not condone extrajudicial killings and is in fact concerned with the more than 500 people already killed in connection with the government’s anti-drug war.
This, after the United Sates expressed concern over reports on extrajudicial killing of individuals suspected to be involved in drug activity in the country and urged Philippine law enforcement agencies to comply with its human rights obligations.
“We are concerned by these detentions, as well as the extrajudicial killing of individuals suspected to be involved in drug activity in the Philippines. We strongly urge the Philippines to ensure its law enforcement efforts comply with its human rights obligations,” said US Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau on Monday.
“In reference to this, we just like to make a statement that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte repeatedly expressed that he does not condone extra-judicial killings.” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters in a press briefing in Malacañang.
He added, however, that the President has admitted that certain individuals may have been salvaged, but in the light of this the National Police Commission (Napolcom) chairman and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueño has already directed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa to investigate drug-related killings. (GK)