Duterte’s drug war not fully a success, says Gutoc

Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bet Samira Gutoc. Image from her Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — The Duterte government’s drug war was not fully a success, Marawi civic leader and senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc said on Monday.

For Gutoc, the drug war should be a program but there are still areas for improvement.

“It’s a step-by-step process. It can’t be said fully as a success. As an advocacy, yes. But the process of addressing the youth, the drug rehabilitation programming, it’s not, no, it’s not a success,” she responded on ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart when asked if she thought President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs may be considered a success or a failure.

She further said that the extrajudicial killings linked to the bloody drug war must be probed.

“The implementation on having extrajudicial killings, definitely, warranting of investigation,” Gutoc said.

Gutoc, who is running under the senatorial slate of Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, said that she would recommend strengthening the army’s presence and rehabilitation, among other suggestions, to enhance the drug war.

“Strengthen Philippine Navy presence so that it can check on shipments. Strengthen the budget on drug rehabilitation or enhance it. Strengthen the National Youth Commission’s partnership with the [Philippine National Police] and the Philippine Army,” she pointed out.

Gutoc, however, lauded the administration’s achievement in having the Bangsamoro Organic Law signed.

“We’re seeing the fruits of it. The [Moro Islamic Liberation Front], the rebels, women and men, are already training to be government workers. They’re training to put the arms work to desk work,” she explained.

EDV