Shoot to kill? Duterte's statements on killing drug users

Human rights groups and foreign leaders are concerned that Duterte's statements are an 'apparent endorsement' of extrajudicial killings – an allegation the Palace vehemently denies

by: Katerina Francisco

@kaifrancisco

Published 5:30 PM, October 05, 2016

Updated 5:30 PM, October 05, 2016                                                                                     

STOP THE KILLINGS. President Rodrigo Duterte has been careful in his statements endorsing the killing of drug users, but human rights groups say he 'implicitly' supports killings in violation of due process. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – It has been a common refrain between the government and its critics: the latter decries President Rodrigo Duterte's "shoot-to-kill" orders against alleged drug users, while the former denies there ever was such a thing.

As human rights groups, international media, and diplomats begin to take increasing notice of the number of drug-related deaths in the Philippines, it comes with criticism against what they perceive as the government's tacit endorsement of extrajudicial killings.

The harrowing images have been splashed across international news outlets: photos of slain people with their faces wrapped in tape, usually beside a cardboard sign saying: "I'm a drug pusher, do not emulate me."

But the relatives of some of the victims insist that their loved ones did not fit the profile of a drug user, or were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.

One US senator said Duterte was endorsing "what amounts to mass murder." Human rights groups point out that vigilantes have grown emboldened because of Duterte's many statements defending and even promoting the killing of alleged drug users who fight back.

Even before the start of the campaign period for the May 2016 polls, Duterte had already promised to order the killing of criminals. But he emphasized that this should only be done if they fight back.

This caveat has been the government's consistent defense against criticism that it endorses extrajudicial killings.

Shoot to kill, DIY arrests

Duterte has long been vocal about his hardliner stance against illegal drugs. His campaign threats to kill drug users, he said, were not rhetorical.

Several months since the May polls, the Philippines is seeing the concrete evidence of that statement: thousands have been killed in Duterte's bloody war on drugs, some of them under questionable circumstances. (READ: 'Nanlaban sila': Duterte's war on drugs)

In May, shortly after winning the elections, Duterte said he would give security forces "shoot to kill" orders against those who resist arrest.

He also said he would offer million-peso bounties for the capture or death of drug lords.

But he was quick to add: "I'm not saying you kill them but the order is 'dead or alive.'"

The President has made several pronouncements in the same vein, issuing shoot-to-kill orders but immediately clarifying that it should only be done if the suspects resist arrest.

He has made this call not only to law enforcers, but to ordinary citizens. In June, during a thanksgiving party in Davao City, Duterte endorsed the idea of ordinary civilians engaging in do-it-yourself arrests.

"Kayong nandiyan sa neighborhood ninyo (Those among you in your respective neighborhoods), feel free to call us, the police, or do it yourself if you have the gun, you have my support," he said.

If a suspect resists arrest, "you can kill him," Duterte said.

The President added, "Only if your life is in danger, at lumaban, at may baril din at kutsilyo, barilin mo (and there is resistance and the suspect is armed with a gun or knife, shoot). I'll give you a medal."

(source: http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/148295-philippines-president-rodrigo-duterte-statements-shoot-to-kill-drug-war)