Pubdate: Tue, 23 Aug 2016
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2016 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.

NEARLY 1,800 KILLED IN PHILIPPINE DRUG WAR

MANILA, Philippines - Killings by the police and vigilantes in the 
Philippines' war on drugs have soared to nearly 1,800 in the seven 
weeks since President Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into office, the 
nation's top police official told a Senate hearing on Monday.

Under Duterte, who campaigned on a pledge to rid the country of drug 
dealers, 712 suspects have been killed in police operations, National 
Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa said. Vigilante killings have totaled 
1,067 during the same period, he said, although it was unclear how 
many were directly related to the illegal drug trade.

The numbers represent a huge increase over those cited by the police 
last week, when they put the total at more than 800 since Duterte's 
election on May 9. The new figures do not include killings that 
occurred between the election and his inauguration on June 30.

The police did not explain the sudden increase. Senators are expected 
to question them about the tally today during a second day of joint 
hearings by the chamber's committee on justice and human rights and 
the committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Duterte is said to have incited the wave of killings with his vow to 
eradicate crime. He has said the police should "shoot to kill" when 
they encounter members of organized crime or suspects who violently 
resist arrest.

Human rights advocates have been horrified by the killings, but 
Duterte's popularity has soared among a large segment of Filipinos 
weary of crime and enthusiastic about his pledge to rid the country 
of drug dealers.

THE NEW YORK TIMES
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom