CHR probes Davao drug war deaths

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday expressed grave concern over Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s recent declaration of a war on drugs in the city.

The CHR regional office has initiated an investigation into the reported drug-related killings in the city following Duterte’s declaration.

“The commission vehemently denounces the alarming incidents of alleged extrajudicial killings associated with the anti-drug campaign in Davao City as these acts constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life and due process, and are in direct disregard to the principles of justice and the rule of law,” it said.

Seven drug suspects have been killed less than a week after Duterte declared a war on drugs.

Duterte declared an all-out campaign against illegal drugs when he welcomed Col. Richard Bad-ang as the new Davao City police chief on Friday.

In his speech, Duterte warned drug pushers that they would be killed if they would not leave the city.

The city police office said 21 anti-narcotics operations have been conducted, resulting in 17 arrests and the filing of 22 cases.

The mayor’s father, Rodrigo Duterte, carried out a bloody campaign against illegal drugs during his presidency. He faces a probe by the International Criminal Court in connection with the campaign.

The CHR said it recognizes the gravity of the drug problem in the country and the importance of anti-drug programs in addressing the issue with urgency.

However, it maintained that ”putting the law in someone’s hands will not resolve the problem as it only perpetuates the culture of impunity, violence, fear and threat.”

“Using extrajudicial means undermines the rule of law and destroys faith in legal systems, ultimately hindering genuine efforts to address the root causes of drug-related problems in the country,” it said.

The CHR stressed the importance of comprehensive and effective drug-abuse and trafficking prevention strategies.