Duterte tells critics: Count cops, soldiers killed in drug war, too

PRESIDENT Duterte pays his respects at the wake of one of the four soldiers killed by the NPA. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

President Duterte on Thursday said human rights advocates must also count the casualties from the government side amid the intensified war against illegal drugs.

“Is there anybody among you who is counting the dead soldiers and policemen? Duterte asked his critics, especially human rights advocates. “I am losing two policemen or soldiers a day because of the drug war.”

Duterte made the challenge at a televised news conference past midnight in Davao City.

Amid the ongoing Senate inquiry on alleged extrajudicial killings, the President lamented that human rights advocates failed to take into account the policemen and soldiers fighting drug suspects.