Order bringing back police to drug war now up for Duterte's signature
New York-based group Human Rights Watch recently warned that President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to bring back control over his bloody anti-narcotics campaign to the police could mean "more bloodshed." RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The document ordering the return of the Philippine National Police to the frontline of the government’s brutal drug war is now on President Rodrigo Duterte’s desk.
Duterte last October designated the PDEA as “sole agency” in charge of his controversial war on drugsafter his satisfaction rating significantly dropped following street protests triggered by the death of minors in the hands of Caloocan City cops.
But on Wednesday, the president said the Philippine National Police has to be involved in the crackdownto prevent the proliferation of methamphetamine or shabu.
READ: Roque: Duterte not satisfied with PDEA handling drug war | Amnesty International: PDEA as lead drug war agency a 'PR' move
In his speech at the 67th anniversary of the first scout ranger regiment on Friday, Duterte said the paper ordering the police to go back to the war on drugs is now up for his approval.
“I have not yet signed the executive order but I am inclined to call back the police and join again in the drug war,” the president said.
“If I cannot control drugs, then maybe it is time for me to think about resignation. Kung di ko kaya ito, bababa talaga ako,” he added.
Duterte, who easily won the race to Malacañang last year on a brutal law-and-order platform, has stoked international alarm for activating his fierce anti-drug campaign.
New York-based group Human Rights Watch recently warned that Duterte's plan to bring back control over his bloody anti-narcotics campaign to the police could mean "more bloodshed."
Early this year, Duterte was forced to suspend Oplan Tokhang—a portmanteau of two words meaning to “knock” and “plead”—following the kidnapping and killing of a South Korean businessman by rogue policemen.
At that time, Duterte stripped the PNP of the authority to conduct anti-illegal drug operations and designated the PDEA—backed by the Army—to continue the campaign.
He had also abolished the anti-drug units of the PNP and vowed to cleanse the police force, which he described as “corrupt to the core.”
Citing lack of manpower in the anti-narcotics operations, the firebrand leader later decided to tap the police again in his deadly war against illegal drugs.
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