Duterte: "I Don't Care About Human Rights, Drug Eradication Comes First... Shoot If Threatened"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines, regarding the human rights violation controversy in the 'bloody war on drugs,' stated, "I do not care about human rights," and instructed to shoot suspects first if there is a sense of threat.

According to foreign media including the Philippine Star on the 4th, President Duterte told police and other drug enforcement agencies the previous day, "All drug addicts carry firearms," and instructed, "Even if you do not see the suspect's weapon, if there is excessive behavior or signs of aggression, shoot first."

At an event in Cavite Province in northern Philippines to dispose of drugs worth 7 billion pesos (approximately 150 billion won), President Duterte also stated, "I do not care about human rights. I take full responsibility."

He further addressed human rights organizations, saying, "You are focused not on the victims but on the health and lives of criminals and drug traffickers," and added, "As president, I have the duty to protect all citizens from drugs."

President Duterte has shown a strong determination to eradicate drugs, saying in June this year, "If you distribute drugs and destroy the Philippines, I will kill you."

Meanwhile, since President Duterte took office in July 2016, the Philippines has been engaged in a bloody war on drugs, resulting in numerous deaths. According to official police announcements, as of the end of July this year, 5,810 suspects were shot dead resisting police crackdowns.

However, human rights organizations estimate that the number of deaths from extrajudicial killings without trial could reach 30,000.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.