[ad_1]
DRUG MURDER Police investigating the murder of an alleged drug dealer who was shot
in Manila. AFP File Photo
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has appointed a technical task force to investigate “essential issues” raised by Attorney General Menardo Guevarra regarding anti-drug operations carried out under the Duterte administration, according to the PNP spokesperson, Brig. General Ildebrandi Usana on Thursday.
In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Usana said that PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas has designated key PNP offices to carry out the investigation.
Usana added that the report of the technical working group will be presented to Sinas “hopefully by the first week of March.”
“The [chief PNP] has already appointed a technical working group made up of key PNP offices to examine and discuss essential issues raised by the SOJ (Secretary of Justice) and present them to the head of the PNP [hopefully] 1st week of March your report with [recommendation] on the matter in question, “Usana told INQUIRER.net
This comes as Guevarra informed the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) that a government panel led by the Department of Justice (DOJ) found that police officers had not complied with rules of engagement and protocol during anti-drug operations.
Guevarra said that while state agents “claimed” that drug suspects were killed after they resisted arrest or defended themselves, there was “no full examination of the recovered weapon” and “no verification of ownership was conducted ( weapon) “.
Police authorities said up to 6,000 have died due to anti-drug operations, but human rights groups said this figure could be at least four times higher.
/ MUF
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
