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Duterte extends Philippine drug war to end of term in 2022 Philippines to suspend drug war to clean up 'corrupt' police
(35 minutes later)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has extended his war on drugs to the end of his term in 2022, as he promised to overhaul the "corrupt" police force. Philippine police are suspending their controversial war on drugs after the "corrupt" police force has been "cleansed".
Mr Duterte had previously said his controversial campaign would only last several months into his presidency. Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa said on Monday that anti-drug units would be dissolved.
Thousands of alleged drug suspects have died in state-sanctioned extra-judicial killings, mostly by police. It comes after the murder of a South Korean businessman inside police headquarters. He had been kidnapped and killed by anti-drug police.
Several officers were also involved in a shocking kidnap and murder of a South Korean expatriate last year. More than 7,000 people have been killed since the crackdown on drugs began.
Mr Duterte had initially promised to eradicate the country's drug problem by December, then extended the deadline to March this year. The death toll and President Rodrigo Duterte's hardline stance against drugs have attracted intense criticism from human rights groups and Western countries, although the president continues to enjoy a high level of support among Filipinos.
But he told reporters at a press conference late Sunday night: "I will extend it to the last day of my term... March no longer applies." Speaking on Monday, Mr Dela Rosa said Mr Duterte "told us to clean the organisation first".
In the Philippines, presidents only serve one term of six years. "We will cleanse our ranks... then maybe after that, we can resume our war on drugs."
He said that the latest extension was necessary as he had underestimated the depth of the drug problem in the Philippines. Mr Duterte has made tackling drug use in the Philippines a central part of his presidency.
His hardline stance on the national war on drugs has attracted intense criticism from human rights groups and Western countries, although he continues to enjoy a high level of support among Filipinos. He had initially promised to eradicate the problem by December, then extended the deadline to March this year.
But he told reporters at a press conference late on Sunday: "I will extend it to the last day of my term... March no longer applies." Mr Duterte's term ends in 2022.
He said he had underestimated the depth of the drug problem.
Senator Leila De Lima, Mr Duterte's most vocal critic, said the president and the police chief "should categorically give the order to end the killings".
She said the dismantling of the police anti-narcotics operation meant "they are aware that the very men involved in anti-drug operations... are involved in illegal activities under the guise of the so-called war on drugs," she told ANC television.
'Corrupt to the core''Corrupt to the core'
Mr Duterte also railed against the police force on Sunday and vowed to "cleanse" it, in response to the high-profile killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in October.Mr Duterte also railed against the police force on Sunday and vowed to "cleanse" it, in response to the high-profile killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in October.
Jee Ick-joo was seized in October from his home in Angeles city, near Manila, under the pretence of a drug raid, the Department of Justice said. After strangling him, his killers pretended he was still alive in order to collect a ransom from his family.Jee Ick-joo was seized in October from his home in Angeles city, near Manila, under the pretence of a drug raid, the Department of Justice said. After strangling him, his killers pretended he was still alive in order to collect a ransom from his family.
"You policemen are the most corrupt. You are corrupt to the core. It's in your system," Mr Duterte said, adding that he thought up to 40% of policemen were used to corruption."You policemen are the most corrupt. You are corrupt to the core. It's in your system," Mr Duterte said, adding that he thought up to 40% of policemen were used to corruption.
Mr Duterte had sanctioned extra-judicial killings previously, saying he would pardon policemen who kill criminals and civilians in the line of duty.Mr Duterte had sanctioned extra-judicial killings previously, saying he would pardon policemen who kill criminals and civilians in the line of duty.
"When I said I'll protect the police, I'll protect the police. But I won't protect lying," he said."When I said I'll protect the police, I'll protect the police. But I won't protect lying," he said.
He said his re-organisation of the police force would see all anti-drug units dissolved.
A new command is expected to be formed within the Philippines' drug enforcement agency, reported Rappler.