Philippine police return to front lines of President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war after two-month hiatus
Duterte, 72, was elected last year on a promise to eradicate drugs from society by launching an unprecedented campaign in which up to 100,000 people would die
Philippine police will return to the front lines of President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, his spokesman said Tuesday, less than two months after they were demoted in response to rising opposition to the crackdown.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the police were being brought back because drug crimes had risen in their absence, and there had been a “public clamour” for them to return.
He said Duterte signed an order on Tuesday directing the police to again join the crackdown.
“There has been a notable resurgence in illegal drug activities and crimes committed,” Roque said as he read the order signed by Duterte.
Duterte, 72, was elected last year on a promise to eradicate drugs from society by launching an unprecedented campaign in which up to 100,000 people would die.
There has been a notable resurgence in illegal drug activities and crimes committed
Since he took office, police have reported killing about 4,000 people in the crackdown.