Filipino War on Drugs investigation strengthens allegations of police abuse

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The Human Rights Commission (CHR) report, which reinforces the Justice Department’s findings that exposed foul play in dozens of deadly police operations, is the latest to question the narrative government on the war on drugs.

The commission said it examined 579 incidents of “drug-related extrajudicial killings” and violence from 2016 to February 2020, of which 451 were reportedly linked to police operations and claimed 705 lives.

Records of at least 87 people showed that they suffered multiple gunshot wounds, usually to the head, chest, trunk and abdomen, while brute force was used on some, a declared CHR.

“The Supreme Court, in a ruling on law enforcement’s self-defense plea, ruled that the location of a deceased assailant’s gunshot wounds may suggest an intent to kill and not just self-defense,” CHR said in a statement.

Duterte’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while police said they would review the CHR report.

Duterte defended the police and argued that all those killed were drug traffickers who resisted arrest.

The commission said police officers involved in 77 incidents it had investigated should be “rewarded, rewarded or recognized”.

The Philippines has come under pressure from the United Nations to investigate allegations of systematic murders of drug suspects, and the International Criminal Court recently announced that it will investigate Duterte’s drug campaign.

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