PHL’s drug war lurks in ASEAN leaders’ meet

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) urged the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to “take a stand” against alleged crimes against humanity in Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s war on drugs.

AI made the call in a statement dated April 25, a day before the start of the series of events and meetings for the ASEAN Summit being held at the Philippine capital on April 26 to 30.

“While they meet in their comfortable surroundings, ASEAN leaders should spare a thought for the thousands of people who have been killed as part of Duterte’s brutal crackdown,” Champa Patel, AI’s Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, is quoted in the statement.

“As the death toll mounts, so does evidence of the Philippines authorities’ role in the bloodshed. That the Philippines is chairing the ASEAN Summit against this horrifying backdrop is a scandal, and should prompt the government to make independent and effective investigations into unlawful killings an immediate priority,” Ms. Patel added.

“They must send a clear message that there will be accountability and an end to such shocking violations.”

In end-January this year, AI released a report claiming that the spate of killings related to the government’s bloody drug war “may constitute crimes against humanity” as it appeared to be “systematic, planned and organised by the authorities.”

The London- based advocacy group’s report also concluded that based on “strong evidence” gathered through 110 interviews and the documentation of 33 cases, many drug-related fatalities were summary executions that directly implicate cops and others by assassins paid by police officers.

ASEAN SUPPORT

Meanwhile, Mr. Duterte is expected to enjoy support for his deadly drug war from his fellow ASEAN leaders, observers say. —