Push Admin

PNP dares rights groups to join anti-drug operations

Article (news)

Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Family members and relatives receive the urns holding the ashes of victims of the war on drugs after a memorial service inside a Catholic church in Manila on Nov. 15, 2021. The remains were exhumed from their graves after the lease on the tombs at a public cemetery they were buried expired and relatives could not afford to continue with it. Basilio H. Sepe, ABS-CBN News/File " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/11/15/20211115-drugwar-church-bhs-7-jpg-20.jpg"/><figcaption>Family members and relatives receive the urns holding the ashes of victims of the war on drugs after a memorial service inside a Catholic church in Manila on Nov. 15, 2021. The remains were exhumed from their graves after the lease on the tombs at a public cemetery they were buried expired and relatives could not afford to continue with it. Basilio H. Sepe, ABS-CBN News/File </figcaption></figure></div><p>The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday challenged human rights groups to join its anti-narcotics operations and face drug suspects themselves following allegations of abuse and misdeeds.</p><p>PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao said human rights groups should be on the frontline during operations and hold guns to understand how the &quot;drug war&quot; works.</p><p>“’War on drugs’ nga e. ‘Pag sinabi mong ‘war,’ may mamamatay talaga diyan,” Danao said.</p><p>(It&#x27;s called war on drugs. If you say &quot;war,&quot; you should expect deaths to follow.)</p><p>“Tell the human rights [groups], join me in operating. Sila ang papaunahin ko. And tell me, tell me! Okay, I’m challenging them now, ‘Mauna kayo. Kayo mismo ang humawak ng baril. I challenge you,’” he added.</p><p>(I will put them on the front lines... Go first, hold a gun.)</p><p>The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said over 6,000 drug suspects were killed during the legitimate police operations under the Duterte administration. Authorities say they used force after suspects resisted arrest. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/06/01/22/over-7000-deaths-in-6-years-of-dutertes-drug-war-research">War on drugs: ABS-CBN research shows over 7,000 individuals killed in past 6 years</a></li></ul><p>Rights advocates said the death toll could be higher, accusing authorities of carrying out summary executions that killed even innocent people, including some children.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/22/chr-govt-encouraged-culture-of-impunity-in-drug-war">CHR: Gov&#x27;t failed to protect rights in drug war, encouraged culture of impunity</a></li></ul><p>Danao said that at least 800 police personnel have died during the operations. </p><p>“Why don’t you focus on the almost 1,000 PNP personnel who died in war on drugs? ...Mag-focus tayo diyan. Parang gusto niyo pulis lang ang pinapatay, ‘yung kriminal hindi? Aba’y napaka-unfair naman yata niyan,” Danao said.</p><p>(Let&#x27;s focus on that. It seems that you only like police being killed, and not the criminals. That&#x27;s seems very unfair.)</p><p>He insisted police have to defend themselves when they see that suspects are going to retaliate.</p><p>“Huwag kang magpapauna (do not let them get you first). I would rather see a criminal, a pusher, a drug lord lying on the ground than my PNP police officer on the ground,” Danao said. </p><p>The International Criminal Court (ICC) in September last year approved a full inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity in Duterte&#x27;s drug war. The ICC <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/20/21/icc-hold-on-ph-drug-war-probe-part-of-due-process">suspended </a>the probe some 2 months later following a request by the Philippines, which cited its own investigations. </p><p>President Rodrigo Duterte remains unapologetic of the drug crackdown, which he recently urged his successor to continue with &quot;stronger pressure.&quot; </p><p>Danao said the PNP would focus on the “reduction” of demand for illegal drugs in the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2061633" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The PNP challenged rights groups to join its anti-narcotics operations and face drug suspects themselves following allegations of abuse.

PNP dares rights groups to join anti-drug operations

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

PNP dares rights groups to join anti-drug operations

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 03, 2022 01:51 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

Philippine National Police

war on drugs

human rights

Duterte

drugs

drug war

Vicente Danao

Rodrigo Duterte

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.