Image capture from TV Patrol video via ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel - The number of drug suspects killed and arrested increased after Duterte won the presidential elections
- The number of drug suspects killed increased by 200%
- The PNP attributed the increase to the motivation given by President-elect Duterte to the PNP to focus more on illegal drugs
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the number of suspected drug dealers who were killed increased by 200 percent, while the number of drug suspects arrested increased by 8% after the May 9 elections.
Between May 10 and June 15, the police hauled 3,760 drug suspects and killed 29 others as they stepped up the operations against the illegal drug trade.
PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor disclosed in a press conference at Camp Crame that the monthly pre-election average of drug suspects arrested was 3,480, while the monthly average for suspects killed was 9.
According to Jaymee Gamil of Inquirer, Mayor noted that the increase can be attributed to two factors. First is the compliance of different police units in complying with the regular targets set by the PNP high command and second is the motivation of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for the PNP to focus on illegal drugs.
Duterte openly encouraged the public to arrest or kill, if the situation calls for it, known drug dealers in their area. The incoming president offered a bounty of P5 million per drug lord captured, dead or alive.
Mayor said the killing of drug suspects occurred during legitimate encounters.
“The reason why the suspects were killed is because they engaged in a shootout between the law enforcers and the suspects,” he said.
“And based also on reports of circumstances surrounding the incident, it will appear that there is imminent danger on the part of law enforcers,” he added.
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