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Duterte extends Philippine drug war to end of term in 2022 Duterte extends Philippine drug war to end of term in 2022
(about 2 hours later)
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has extended his war on drugs to the end of his term in 2022, as he promised to overhaul the "corrupt" police force. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has extended his war on drugs to the end of his term in 2022, as he promised to overhaul the "corrupt" police force.
Mr Duterte had previously said his controversial campaign would only last several months into his presidency.Mr Duterte had previously said his controversial campaign would only last several months into his presidency.
Thousands of alleged drug suspects have died in state-sanctioned extra-judicial killings, mostly by police.Thousands of alleged drug suspects have died in state-sanctioned extra-judicial killings, mostly by police.
Several officers were also involved in a shocking kidnap and murder of a South Korean expatriate last year.Several officers were also involved in a shocking kidnap and murder of a South Korean expatriate last year.
Mr Duterte had initially promised to eradicate the country's drug problem by December, then extended the deadline to March this year.Mr Duterte had initially promised to eradicate the country's drug problem by December, then extended the deadline to March this year.
But he told reporters at a press conference late Sunday night: "I will extend it to the last day of my term... March no longer applies."But he told reporters at a press conference late Sunday night: "I will extend it to the last day of my term... March no longer applies."
In the Philippines, presidents only serve one term of six years.In the Philippines, presidents only serve one term of six years.
He said that the latest extension was necessary as he had underestimated the depth of the drug problem in the Philippines.He said that the latest extension was necessary as he had underestimated the depth of the drug problem in the Philippines.
His hardline stance on the national war on drugs has attracted intense criticism from human rights groups and Western countries, although he continues to enjoy a high level of support among Filipinos.His hardline stance on the national war on drugs has attracted intense criticism from human rights groups and Western countries, although he continues to enjoy a high level of support among Filipinos.
'Corrupt to the core''Corrupt to the core'
Mr Duterte also railed against the police force on Sunday and vowed to "cleanse" it, in response to the high-profile killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in October.Mr Duterte also railed against the police force on Sunday and vowed to "cleanse" it, in response to the high-profile killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in October.
Jee Ick-joo was seized in October from his home in Angeles city, near Manila, under the pretence of a drug raid, the Department of Justice said. After strangling him, his killers pretended he was still alive in order to collect a ransom from his family.Jee Ick-joo was seized in October from his home in Angeles city, near Manila, under the pretence of a drug raid, the Department of Justice said. After strangling him, his killers pretended he was still alive in order to collect a ransom from his family.
"You policemen are the most corrupt. You are corrupt to the core. It's in your system," Mr Duterte said, adding that he thought up to 40% of policemen were used to corruption."You policemen are the most corrupt. You are corrupt to the core. It's in your system," Mr Duterte said, adding that he thought up to 40% of policemen were used to corruption.
Mr Duterte had sanctioned extra-judicial killings previously, saying he would pardon policemen who kill criminals and civilians in the line of duty.Mr Duterte had sanctioned extra-judicial killings previously, saying he would pardon policemen who kill criminals and civilians in the line of duty.
"When I said I'll protect the police, I'll protect the police. But I won't protect lying," he said."When I said I'll protect the police, I'll protect the police. But I won't protect lying," he said.
He said his re-organisation of the police force would see all anti-drug units dissolved.He said his re-organisation of the police force would see all anti-drug units dissolved.
A new command is expected to be formed within the Philippines' drug enforcement agency, reported Rappler.A new command is expected to be formed within the Philippines' drug enforcement agency, reported Rappler.