Troops kill mayor in drug war

PHILIPPINES: Police in the southern Philippines killed 15 people, including a city mayor, days after president Rodrigo Duterte ordered them to escalate a deadly crackdown on drugs that has left thousands of Filipinos dead.

The early morning assault on three homes linked to Reynaldo Parojinog in the port city of Ozamiz, on Mindanao island, was the bloodiest assault yet in the crackdown that has been condemned by the United States, United Nations and human rights groups.

Senate opposition leader Franklin Drilon questioned the circumstances of the attack on Parojinog’s home and pointed out that the deaths of two other mayors were subsequently found to be ‘‘rub-outs.’’

But Ozamiz police chief Jovie Espenido told Associated Press that police with a warrant went to the houses ‘‘to enforce the law to protect people who want peace in the country.’’

‘‘How can we enforce the law if we are … scared of the drugs lords?

‘‘He’s a high-value target on illegal drugs,’’ he said, adding that firearms and suspected drugs were seized.

Parojinog, who was facing corruption charges, denied any link to the drugs trade after his family was named by Duterte in a list of local government officials he ordered to be targeted.

‘‘The administration has vowed to intensify the drug campaign,’’ said president spokesman Ernesto Abella, referring to the killings.

Police turned off power at the houses at 2.30am on Sunday and gunfire erupted minutes later, witnesses said.

Police said a grenade held by one of Parojinog’s bodyguards exploded during the assault.

Parojinog’s daughter Nova Parojinog Echavez, the city’s vicemayor who was arrested, told reporters that no-one from their side fired a weapon.

‘‘I am asking president Durtere to investigate this (as well as) the Senate of the Philippines,’’ she said, adding she feared for her life.

- Fairfax