27 dead as cops wage drug war in Central Luzon

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Twenty-seven drug suspects have died in police operations in less than three months of the revived police drug war in Central Luzon, from Dec. 5, 2017 to Feb. 18, a report from this regional headquarters showed.

These suspects fought arresting police officers during buy-bust operations and raids, and when they were served with search or arrest warrants.

Two previous reports said the police killed 238 in police operations from July 2016 to Jan. 16.

The police said there were 30 cases being investigated as possible homicide or homicide under investigation in September 2017.

The Commission on Human Rights in the region recorded less than 10 cases of so-called extrajudicial killings related to the antidrug drive since July 2016.

Chief Supt. Amador Corpus, regional police director, said he had advised policemen to be extra careful in handling minors who were being used to deliver “shabu” (crystal meth) to clients.

The recruitment and use of minors in the drug trade have been monitored in all Central Luzon provinces, Corpus said, adding that they are mostly aged 14 and 15. —Tonette Orejas