Mayor Killed in Shootout As Philippine War On Drugs Enters New Phase

As a new phase of a violent narcotics clampdown set its sights on high profile individuals, a mayor was killed along with nine of his body guards in a shootout on Friday (Local time). The mayor was on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s wanted list for suspected drugs links.

The 10 men opened fire on officers who attempted to halt their two vehicles at a checkpoint in Mindanao before dawn. The men died of their wounds on the way to the hospital, police said.

Bernard Tayong of the North Cotabato police office said that the police operation was legitimate. No officers were hurt but a police vehicle was riddled with bullets, he added.

Tayong told reporters that they have information that the mayor and his men were carrying drugs. They tried to intercept them but the mayor and his men chose to shoot it out.

The incident happened far from Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom’s generally Muslim town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

It came as police modify tactics in the controversial war on drugs. Their sights are now trained at government officials, politicians, high-ranking army and police officials. Moreover, there are celebrities suspected of involvement in the trade.

Dubbed “Project Double Barrel Alpha”, the new plan seeks to reduce the bloodshed and increase arrests in a campaign that has claimed more than 2,300 lives since Duterte took office on June 30.

Duterte won the presidency on the assurances of killing criminals and ran under the logo of a clenched fist.

In a news conference late on Thursday following his return from a visit to Japan, Duterte waved a thick book he claimed had names of officials suspected of drug links. The book contains about 3,000 names.

More than 1,600 of those killed in the anti-drugs campaign died during police operations. It is a death toll that has gained international concern about extrajudicial killings.

Duterte has repeatedly torn into his critics as he aggressively defended the campaign.

In a recent poll, 94 percent of respondents said it was important that police take suspects alive. This shows the public’s unease over the crackdown.

After Friday’s shootout, seven guns, which include an Armalite rifle, and 13 small packs of suspected methamphetamines were retrieved from the mayor’s car, police investigators said

Dimaukom’s wife, who is also the town’s vice mayor, is also on Duterte’s watch list.

Shifting targets

National police spokesman Dionardo Carlos said on Thursday that the war on drugs had been magnified to go beyond poorer areas where low-level peddlers operate.

New targets were transport networks, wealthier neighborhoods, show business circles and nightclubs. The authorities aim to get rid of drugs like ecstasy and cocaine in these places.

Carlos denied there was an intentional endorsing of extrajudicial killings. He said casualties occurred when suspects refused to surrender. Police were keen to avoid violence, which is the reason why they are shifting to Alpha, he added.

Since late June, about 30,000 suspects were arrested and 750,000 drug users had surrendered. Of the “high value” targets, 201 had given up, 66 were arrested and 14 were killed.

He said 150,000 police had been tested for drug use. 164 of which returned positive results and would be dismissed.

 

The post Mayor Killed in Shootout As Philippine War On Drugs Enters New Phase appeared first on Newsline.

US Diplomat Says Philippines a Valued Ally, But Drug Killings Are Disturbing

MANILA – Daniel Russel, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs guaranteed the Philippines that the United States will stay as its “trusted” ally. Also, the most senior US diplomat for Asia said on Monday that Washington backed the developing ties with the Philippines and China.

Bad for business

However, Russel conveyed the US concern over the drug-related killings in the Southeast Asian country. He said that the increasing number of extrajudicial slayings in the Philippines was “bad for business”.

Since assuming the presidency on June 30, 2,300 people have been killed in his anti-drugs campaign. Duterte has been contemptuous about U.S. criticizing the extra-judicial killings.

Meanwhile, Russel claimed the US supports the Philippines anti-narcotics campaign. He also insisted that human rights should not be disregarded on its war against drugs. The US diplomat said, “The growing uncertainty about this and other issues is bad for business. This is a very competitive region.”

Still the “closest friend”

President Rodrigo Duterte declared in a shocking statement, the country’s “separation” from the United States while visiting Beijing last week. The visit also signifies a realignment of political ties between the two Southeast Asian countries. The US diplomat was the first high-level visitor from the White House after the president’s provocative statement.

On Saturday, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay explains Duterte’s “Goodbye America” comments. According to Yasay, the United States will remain the “closest friend” of the country but sought freedom from the “mindset of dependency and subservience” while establishing closer ties with other countries.

In an interview after meeting with Yasay, Russel said that Duterte “has already walked back”. Russel stated that Washington is helping open dialogue and negotiations between the Philippines and China. The US diplomat said, “So, it’s a mistake to think that improved relations between Manila and Beijing somehow come at the expense of the U.S.” He also added, “We don’t want countries to have to choose between the U.S. and China.”

Russel also conveyed his concern on the “succession of controversial statements, comments and a real climate of uncertainty about the Philippines’ intentions has created consternation in a number of countries”. For the US Diplomat, Duterte’s controversial statement is “not a positive trend.”

According to the US State Department website, the US diplomat for Asia arranged a three-nation visit throughout Southeast Asia which includes Thailand and Cambodia.

The post US Diplomat Says Philippines a Valued Ally, But Drug Killings Are Disturbing appeared first on Newsline.