Revival of PNP’s anti-drug campaign stresses need for UN probe — HRW

MANILA, Philippines — Human Rights Watch renewed its call to the Philippine government to welcome a United Nations-led investigation into drug-related killings as the Philippine National Police resumes its anti-narcotics campaign.

HRW deputy director Phelim Kine on Thursday said a UN-led probe is “urgent” as the police force recoups its role in the government’s brutal war on drugs.

“The glaring disparity between the Philippine government’s official death toll and those of credible independent observers underscores the urgent need for a UN-led independent investigations into killings since the drug war began in June 2016,” Kine said.

He noted that the Philippines should support a UN effort to establish an impartial and verifiable death toll as the first step in attaining accountability for the wrongful deaths.

Human rights watchdogs estimate that more than 12,000 have been killed during the course of the government’s brutal war on drugs.

But according to the latest #RealNumbersPH release, there have been 6,309 drug-related deaths from July 1, 2016 to Jan. 17, 2018. Of these cases, 2,235 were tagged as homicide cases under investigation.

READ: Amnesty calls for accountability as PNP revives 'Tokhang'

Kine also called on UN member countries to press for a probe into the drug war killings, citing the nations which issued joint statements urging the Philippines to end killings and cooperate with the international community to pursue appropriate investigations.

“Ultimately, those responsible for drug war murders will be brought to justice. The question for Philippine officials is whether they want to be assisting the prosecutor or facing one,” he said.

The police force resumed its controversial anti-drug campaign Monday, which includes the flagship program Oplan Tokhang.

PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa expressed optimism that the police operations would be less violent but he could not fully commit that the campaigns would stop the bloodshed. 

READ: Bato: I can’t give you 100% bloodless anti-drug operations