Philippines VP wants probe of extra-judicial killings

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines (AA) – The Philippines vice president has called on authorities to "seriously investigate" reports of extra-judicial killings by police amid President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs.

National police figures show that 194 drug suspects were killed between July 1 -- the first day of Duterte’s term -- and July 19, while another 6 died Wednesday.

"The rise in extrajudicial killings is a call for all of us to uphold every person’s right to due process,” Leni Robredo said Wednesday in a statement quoted by GMA News.

“Each of those Filipinos who were killed over alleged crimes were denied their right to a fair trial, and those lives may never be returned to their loved ones."

The vice president expressed support for Duterte's campaign against crime and illegal drugs through lawful means, as well as concern over what she described as the recent "growing culture of vigilantism and violence".

"My feeling is he [Duterte] would not condone vigilante style execution. What I'm worried about is there have been so many deaths," she underlined.

GMA quoted National Police Chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa as stressing that he does not condone extrajudicial killings, and police spokesman Sen. Supt. Dionardo Carlos as saying that the killings of drug suspects during operations were being investigated.

According to police data, a total of 103,375 suspected drug pushers and users have turned themselves in to authorities since Duterte took office, while 2,901 others have been arrested.

On Wednesday, six suspected drug dealers were killed in three operations in Bataan province in northern Luzon Island, according to Inquirer.net.

While human rights groups have expressed concern that violence is quickly getting out of control and people are ignoring laws in apprehending suspects, the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia shows that 91 percent of respondents said they trust Duterte.

Trust was highest among respondents from Mindanao (97 percent), where Duterte sealed his reputation as a tough-talking mayor.

In Duterte's 22 years as mayor of Davao, a bustling commercial hub in Mindanao, the 71-year-old turned it from a crime-filled city to a bustling business hub, while imposing bans on public smoking, the selling of alcohol and the operation of entertainment spots past midnight.