Drug war emboldening cops to commit more crimes

The drug war extension is untenable given the corruption in the police institution. That President Duterte himself admitting nearly 40 percent of the police force are corrupt should be enough basis to discontinue and re-evaluate the government’s approach to the problem of illegal drugs.

As we have said last week, the drug war is now being used as a cover for other criminal activities such as extortion, kidnapping for ransom and murder. How can a corrupt and fascist police force, where impunity is the norm, successfully stamp out criminal activities such as the illegal drug trade? The body count will continue to rise and more criminals in uniform will wreak havoc on the people.

A comprehensive program is needed to end the drug problem. This must include addressing the socioeconomic root of the illegal drug problem, the corruption in law enforcement agencies, and the gross inadequacies of the country’s healthcare system. The drug war killings have only emboldened the corrupt police force to commit more crimes.

RENATO M. REYES JR., secretary general, Bayan, bayanph.pid@gmail.com