Robredo hopes safeguards in place vs killings, rights abuses as PNP back in ‘drug war’

Vice President Leni Robredo hoped there are enough safeguards to prevent human rights abuses as she worries about the return of drug-related killings in the wake of announcement that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now back in the government’s war against illegal drugs.

But Robredo said she remains optimistic about President Duterte’s reason in bringing back the police in his anti-illegal drug drive.

“Sigurado ako na may dahilan kung bakit sa kanila ibinalik, pero tumitiwala tayo na iyong safeguards para hindi na maulit iyong dating patayan na walang dahilan, para hindi na maulit iyong extrajudicial killings, nandoon,” Robredo said in a radio interview during her visit in Isabela on Wednesday.

Duterte ordered the PNP to “actively support” the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the war on drugs due to “notable resurgence in illegal drugs.” PDEA would remain the lead agency in the administration’s fight against anti-illegal drugs.            /kga