Thousands surrender to Duterte; vows to stop illegal drugs activity

President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs seem to have hit the core of the thousands self-confessed drug pushers and users as they voluntarily turned themselves in to authorities, July 9. It’s the single biggest surrender under the current administration.

Almost 4,000 suspects came together in an auditorium in Tagum City and pledged to the commitment wall that they will stop their illegal drug activities.

Photo by Bonna Pamplona, ABS-CBN News

Instead of being detained, the suspects will be monitored by the police.

Since his campaign, Duterte has promised to start a “bloody war” against illegal drugs. This was clearly manifested in over a hundred suspects that have been killed, allegedly for resisting arrest.

This took the attention of legislators and human rights groups. They are currently preparing to investigate the spate of killings that occurred on Saturday as more suspects were slain.

In the town of Matalam, North Cotabato province, eight suspects were killed for resisting arrest during an alleged shootout with the police at around 2 am.

A blindfolded and hogtied body of a man was also found near a dike in Bacolor, Pampanga. Next to him was a cardboard sign that reads “rapist” and “drug dealer”.

In addition, two men were arrested in Naga City for allegedly being drug ring leaders. The authorities recovered P300,000 worth of “shabu” from the suspects.

PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa said that around 120 drug suspects, including alleged Cebu kingpin Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz, have been gunned down by police in the last three months. He also said that there will be “more to come.” | ASCS - FNPH

Source: ABS-CBN News

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