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Rodrigo Duterte pulls Philippine police out of brutal war on drugs Rodrigo Duterte pulls Philippine police out of brutal war on drugs
(about 9 hours later)
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has ordered police to end all operations in his deadly war on drugs after a 15-month campaign in which officers have killed thousands. The president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has ordered police to end all operations in his deadly war on drugs after a 15-month campaign in which officers have killed thousands.
Duterte’s office released a public memorandum telling police, the military and other state bodies to leave the conduct of all campaigns and operations to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). In a televised speech he said he hoped a shift to target big networks in his war on drugs would satisfy “bleeding hearts” and interfering western states fixated on the high death toll in his brutal crackdown.
The agency’s 1,800 staff make up just over 1% of the 160,000-strong national police, meaning the new order could significantly reduce the extrajudicial killings. He read a memorandum that removes police from the drug war and places the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in charge and said the shift was to target “big fish”, moving away from street level operations to go after big networks and suppliers.
The statement did not specify why Duterte, nicknamed “the Punisher” for his blood-soaked approach to policing, had made the change. Duterte, nicknamed “the Punisher” for his blood-soaked approach to policing, lashed out at western powers who colonised countries, started wars and “stole” oil from the Middle East.
It comes at a time of waning public support for country-wide operations that police say have killed more than 3,900 “drug personalities” since last July, although activists say these are alleged drug users and suspected small-time dealers. He said his new alliances with Russia and China – United Nations security council permanent members – would keep the Philippines in the UN.
“We will be excluded in the UN? You son of a bitch. Go ahead. You are interfering in our affairs because we are poor. You give money and then you start to orchestrate what things should be done,” he said.
“You bullshit. We are past the colonisation stage. Don’t fuck with us.”
Duterte’s spokesman, Ernesto Abella, later clarified that Duterte’s “expression of outrage” was a reaction to the Progressive Alliance, a group of European parliamentarians which on Monday said it was “extremely alarmed” by the drug war, which “falsely portrayed itself as an EU mission” and made irresponsible statements. The European Union delegation in Manila issued a statement clarifying that it had no involvement in the visit by the Progressive Alliance.
The PDEA’s 1,800 staff make up just over 1% of the 160,000-strong national police, meaning the new order could significantly reduce the extrajudicial killings.
The statement comes at a time of waning public support for countrywide operations that police say have killed more than 3,900 “drug personalities” since last July, although activists say these are alleged drug users and suspected small-time dealers.
More than 2,000 other people have also been killed in drug-related crimes and thousands more murdered in unexplained circumstances, according to police data.More than 2,000 other people have also been killed in drug-related crimes and thousands more murdered in unexplained circumstances, according to police data.
It was the second time the leader decreed that the agency should lead the drugs war. He suspended police anti-drugs operations in late January, to cleanse a force he called “corrupt to the core”, but rescinded the decision five weeks later. It was the second time the leader decreed that the agency should lead the drug war. He suspended police anti-drugs operations in late January, to cleanse a force he called “corrupt to the core”, but rescinded the decision five weeks later.
The memorandum, signed on Tuesday, orders officers at all times to “maintain police visibility, as a deterrent to illegal activities”. Its aim is “to bring order to the operation or campaign against illegal drugs”, the document says.The memorandum, signed on Tuesday, orders officers at all times to “maintain police visibility, as a deterrent to illegal activities”. Its aim is “to bring order to the operation or campaign against illegal drugs”, the document says.
The mercurial leader has rebuffed any criticism and said he is “happy to slaughter” millions of addicts, evening dismissing the deaths of children as “collateral damage”.The mercurial leader has rebuffed any criticism and said he is “happy to slaughter” millions of addicts, evening dismissing the deaths of children as “collateral damage”.
The killing of a 17-year-old student in August sparked nationwide protests and multiple government investigations. Like many of the shootings, police alleged they were acting in self-defence after he resisted arrest. But this time, security camera footage showed the teenager was in custody before he died.The killing of a 17-year-old student in August sparked nationwide protests and multiple government investigations. Like many of the shootings, police alleged they were acting in self-defence after he resisted arrest. But this time, security camera footage showed the teenager was in custody before he died.
A poll released on Sunday showed a sharp decline in public opinion about Duterte’s performance and personality, although sentiment about him remained positive overall. The former mayor and prosecutor from outside the Manila-based elite have remained popular domestically throughout his tenure.A poll released on Sunday showed a sharp decline in public opinion about Duterte’s performance and personality, although sentiment about him remained positive overall. The former mayor and prosecutor from outside the Manila-based elite have remained popular domestically throughout his tenure.
International support has been mixed. The European Union had previously cited “credible reports” that Philippine police falsify evidence to justify extrajudicial killings. International support has been mixed. The EU had previously cited “credible reports” that Philippine police falsify evidence to justify extrajudicial killings.
Under Barack Obama, relations soured between the former US colony and Washington when Duterte called the US leader a “son of a whore” following repeated human rights complaints. Under the US presidency of Barack Obama, relations soured between the former US colony and Washington when Duterte called Obama a “son of a whore” following repeated human rights complaints.
Since then, Manila has increasingly looked to Beijing and Moscow as new backers. Duterte said on Wednesday that Russia was giving 5,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles to the Philippines, believed to be the first ever shipment of Russian weapons. The cache would follow around 6,000 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition donated by China earlier this year. Since then, Manila has increasingly looked to Beijing and Moscow as new backers. Duterte said on Wednesday that Russia was giving 5,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles to the Philippines, believed to be the first ever shipment of Russian weapons. The cache would follow about 6,000 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition donated by China earlier this year.
Donald Trump, however, has praised Duterte for what he said was an “unbelievable job” in a fight against illegal drugs.Donald Trump, however, has praised Duterte for what he said was an “unbelievable job” in a fight against illegal drugs.
Reuters contributed to this report