Filipino president praises deadly anti-drug operations

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday praised the simultaneous anti-drug operations in a northern province that saw 32 drug suspects killed within 24 hours.

“Let’s kill another 32 everyday, maybe we can reduce what ails this country,” local media quoted Duterte as saying in a speech during the 19th anniversary commemoration of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption at the presidential office.

Out of the 66 anti-drug operations in Bulacan province, police engaged in 20 armed encounters killed 32 people -- the highest death toll in a day since Duterte launched his administration’s brutal war against drugs.

The president said that he is expecting an outcry from human rights advocates and assured that the police have his support.

“Many are being killed because the policemen are working. They are protected under my watch,” he said.

The administration’s aggressive war on drugs, which resulted in thousands of killings, has earned condemnation from various human rights advocates not only in the country, but also from abroad.

Despite the criticisms, Duterte expressed a firm stance to destroy the apparatus of the drug trade, which he said is “taking a toll on the lives of the people.”

Police chief Romeo Caramat said that the series of raids has led to the arrest of 109 drug suspects and the seizure of 34 guns, two grenades and 14 live ammunitions. He said $19,500 worth of methamphetamine and 765 grams of marijuana were also recovered.

Caramat also said that the operations have been carefully planned and prepared for over a month.

"On our part, we know that we've done nothing wrong. But there are some sectors that might investigate us. We are open to any investigation," said Caramat.