PNP forms technical working group to probe anti-drug ops ‘essential issues’

DRUG KILLING Policemen investigating the killing of an alleged drug dealer who was gunned
down in Manila. AFP File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has designated a technical working group to investigate the “essential issues” raised by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra regarding anti-drug operations conducted under the Duterte administration, according to PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana on Thursday.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Usana said PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas has designated key PNP offices to conduct the investigation.

Usana added that the technical working group’s report will be submitted to Sinas “hopefully by the first week of March.”

“The [chief PNP] has already designated a technical working group composed of key PNP offices to look into and discuss essential issues raised by the SOJ (Secretary of Justice) and submit to the chief PNP [hopefully] 1st week of March their report with [recommendation] on the matter at hand,” Usana told INQUIRER.net

This comes as Guevarra informed the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that a government panel headed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) found out that police officers had failed to comply with rules of engagement and protocol during anti-drug operations.

Guevarra said that while state agents “asserted” that drug suspects were killed after they either resisted arrest or fought back, there was “no full examination of the weapon recovered,” and “no verification of its (weapon) ownership was undertaken.”

Police authorities said that up to 6,000 have died due to the anti-drug operations, but human rights groups said this number could be at least four times higher.

/MUF