Proposed drug war budget hike alarms solon, rights group
In this Sept. 30, 2016 file photo, police investigators examine the body of one of the three suspects killed in an alleged sting operation by the authorities in the continuing "War on Drugs" campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte before dawn in Caloocan, north of Manila, Philippines. AP/Bullit Marquez, File
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker and a human rights group expressed their concern over the proposal to increase the Philippine National Police’s budget for anti-narcotics operations, saying it will result in more violations and deaths.
The House Committee on Appropriations on Thursday scrutinized the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s P900-million allocation for Oplan Double Barrel, a 4,400 percent jump from this year’s P20 million budget.
“With a P900 million for the Oplan Double Barrel Reloaded, how many more deaths are we expecting here? How many more Kian delos Santoses will die?” Zarate said in a statement.
“Sa ganito ho kasing ratio ay papatak na baka umabot sa 540,000 deaths ang mangyayari sa dagdag na budget sa Oplan Double Barrel. Sana naman ho ay hindi na mangyari ito at huli na ang nangyari kay Kian delos Santos,” he added.
Delos Santos was the 17-year-old student who was killed by policemen during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City. His death has sparked public outrage.
There will be more human rights violations against the poor should the lawmakers approve the increase in drug war funding, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay told Philstar.com.
“Unless social, economic and political reforms are instituted and while only law enforcement methods that do not conform to human rights standards are being employed, the problems concerning drugs will not be resolved,” Palabay said in a text message.
READ: Duterte challenges claim there are 10K drug war victims
According to the government’s #RealNumbersPH campaign's June 30 release, there were 8,200 deaths under investigation out of 12,833 homicides since July 1, 2016. The Presidential Communications Operations Office said 2,098 were drug-related.
However, human rights groups estimate a higher death toll, with more than 12,000 individuals killed in the course of the administration’s anti-narcotics campaign.
In mid-August, around 80 people were killed by cops in what they called as “One Time Big Time” operations in Metro Manila and Bulacan.
WATCH: When a slain boy's parents meet with the deadly drug war's architect
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