More than 1,900 people have been killed in a violent campaign against drugs in Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte came to office seven weeks ago. Such a startling fact has been revealed by country’s police chief on Tuesday.
What is even more shocking is the fact that among these 1,900, 750 were killed in police anti-narcotics operations. The rest of the deaths are still being investigated. Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa told a Senate hearing there was no declared policy to kill drug users and pushers.
President Duterte, known as ‘the punisher’ was voted to power promising to completely wipe out drugs. He has warned traffickers they will be killed if they did not mend their ways.
Owing to the “unprecedented” rise of the body count, an inquiry is being conducted by Senator Leila de Lima, who has summoned top police and anti-narcotics officials to explain the scenario.
However, Duterte has threatened the legislators of dire consequences, if they interfere with his campaign in ‘improving’ his country.
Fearing death, over 700,000 drug users and peddlers have turned themselves in to escape the crackdown. Murders and homicides have increased in the country.
Speculations are also being made by the local media that several of the killings were carried out by corrupt police officers who were wiping out drug peddlers to avoid exposure.