A TRANSPARENCY watchdog is wary that President Duterte’s war on crime could be used by “interest groups” to get back at their political foes.
“It’s simply a case of extortion…President Duterte’s camp should review the list it has and make sure that they have solid evidence to back their allegation. Otherwise, it could spiral out of control,” Filipino Alliance For Transparency and Empowerment (FATE) spokesperson Jo Perez said in a statement.
Duterte has identified five police generals allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. The police generals denied the allegations while some critics said publicly shaming the police officials violated their rights to due process.
“The list of government officials being linked to drug trafficking could also endanger their lives and their families,” Perez said.
The group, however, clarified that they support Duterte’s campaign against crime but it should also be done with caution.
“It’s easy to accuse but to prove it is another story,” Perez said.
Duterte is set to name local officials involved in the illegal drug trade.
More than 100 people have been killed after allegedly resisting police arrest. Those killed were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Duterte won the May 9 election by landslide largely on a pledge to kill tens of thousands of narcotics traffickers and other criminals, and has urged the police and civilians to help in this drive.