Duterte suspected extrajudicial drug war killings

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that, like his fierce critics, he has also suspected extrajudicial killings may have happened under his drug crackdown that has killed thousands of people. Duterte said in televised remarks Monday night that he h once inquired into brutal deaths and was told some drug dealers may have been killed due to rivalry among syndicates or for stealing drug money.

More than 5,800 suspects have been killed and 256,000 arrested since president took office in mid-2016. Human rights groups have alleged many of killings were rub-outs, but Duterte and police said most were gunned down when y fought back. Western governments have called for an independent investigation into killings, which have continued even during coronavirus pandemic, but Duterte has dismissed such calls as meddling into his country's affairs.

"This extrajudicial killing, y have been harping for many years. Truthfully, I also suspect, and re was a time when I conducted a discreet hearing", brash-talking Duterte said.

"What reached me is that, sometimes, re is a rivalry of turf", he said, ding or drug dealers may have been killed by gangsters for running away with drugs and money.

"I kw that, wher I like it or t, re is a war going on. I cant stop killings, killing of criminals and killing of my soldiers and policemen", he said. An International Criminal Court prosecutor has been examining complaints of crimes against humanity over drug killings under Duterte but has t declared wher re is equate evidence to start a formal inquiry.

(Im Credits: AP)

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