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MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte again lashed out Monday at human rights defenders who had been criticizing his war on illegal drugs, saying it would be better to advise those on the drug watch list to stop their illegal activities. or they would die.
Rather than threatening law enforcement officials with possible imprisonment and prosecution, human rights defenders should help educate people about the dangers of engaging in illegal drug trafficking, Duterte said in a prerecorded briefing broadcast on Monday. Monday night.
He also promised to send human rights groups, and possibly even the Human Rights Commission, copies of reports on illegal drug operations that allegedly present the magnitude of the drug threat in the country.
“Convince these people on the list to stop, because tell them, you could die. That is the right way to do things instead of chasing us, we are enforcing the law. Do not threaten us with imprisonment and investigation because you are trying to identify a person who may be intolerant. But we are here trying to save a nation, ”he said.
On the other hand, Duterte reminded law enforcement officials to make the decision to kill if the suspects threaten them. But he also mentioned that many policemen had already been killed in various operations.
He pointed out that in some countries the mere fact of reaching for something in your pocket could be enough to constitute resistance to arrest, and could justify the police shooting you.
“Now, the police and even the military, I already said: just follow the law. The only thing you are really allowed to kill is when your life is in danger. But, my God, I have several policemen who have already died. I do not like that. I get mad at officers who die. I tell them: why didn’t you shoot first? Duterte said.
“You are the officer who arrested him. You must be prepared, ”he added.
In the same briefing, Duterte said that he is also looking to involve the military more in the war on drugs, as it is already a national security issue.
The war on drugs has been a central figure in Duterte’s campaign in 2016, as he promised to rid the streets of drugs in three to six months. But when he supposedly found out just how big the country’s drug problem is, he decided to expand it, and counter-drug operations seizing millions worth of illegal drugs have continued in recent times.
Many activists and human rights defenders have condemned the Duterte government for the bloody campaign.
Cases against Duterte have been brought before the International Criminal Court, for the alleged disregard for human rights in drug trafficking operations.
The international community has also denounced Duterte’s actions on several occasions, calling on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) to intervene in the worsening of the rights situation in the country. But member states only voted to extend assistance to the Philippines in light of the administration’s assurance that they are taking the drug problem seriously.
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