By Emmanuel Tupas
MANILA, Philippines - While the United States recognizes the Philippine government’s commitment in the fight against illegal drugs, it is concerned about the way the campaign is being implemented under the Duterte administration, with rising reports of rampant killings and human rights abuses.
“The United States does recognize the Philippines’ commitment to fight drugs but… the Philippine government approach raises some significant concerns relating to human rights and due process,” Luis Arreaga, principal deputy assistant secretary of the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, said in a teleconference from Washington Tuesday evening.
“We are deeply concerned about reports of extrajudicial killings by or at the behest of government authorities in the Philippines,” Arreaga said.
On Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported 6,011 deaths labeled as homicide cases since Duterte took office in July last year.
Read the full story at PhilStar