Police have re-launched nationwide operations against illegal drugs after a month-long suspension in the Philippines. The operation was put on hold after the murder of a South Korean businessman.
Image: Picture-Alliance/dpa/EPA/M. R. Cristino
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Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa (photo) told reporters on Monday that the PNP was being reformed, calling on "men of burning desire" to join a new task force, named the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Group.
Dela Rosa said the re-launch of police anti-narcotics operations would be less bloody, "or even bloodless," but gave no details about the new task force.
A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons
The crackdown on drugs unleashed by President Rodrigo Duterte has brought the country's prisons to the brink of collapse. In the Quezon City Jail near the capital Manila, inmates are living under miserable conditions.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Imprisoned in the open air
Inmates who cannot be accommodated in the prison cells sleep on the ground in the open air. At present, it's rainy season in the Philippines. And in the current tropical temperatures, it's raining almost every day.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Sleeping on several floors
Whoever possesses a hammock should consider themselves lucky. The prison, which was built 60 years ago, has a capacity to house 800 inmates. But today there are as many as 3,800.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Hardly any room to breathe
Every nook and corner in the prison is occupied. Most of the prisoners sleep on either thin sheets or bare concrete floor.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Staying strong
A prisoner toughens up his muscles in an exercise room.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Strict rules
Signboards remind inmates of prison rules. The handcuffed prisoners shown here are awaiting their trial.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Cleaning service
One prisoner cleans the toilet while the others try to kill time.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Washing and bathing room
Only occasionally can the prisoners free themselves of sweat, filth and stench.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Night confinement
A guard locks the gate in the evening, while the inmates get ready for another night in the overcrowded prison.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Celis
Uncompromising
Many hold newly elected President Duterte responsible for the inhumane situation. His campaign against drugs has shown no mercy. He has called on the people to kill drug addicts, which has led to an unprecedented wave of vigilantism in the Southeast Asian nation. Cases have been filed against 600,000 drug dealers and addicts so far, completely overwhelming the justice system.
"We are here to save lives. We are not here to claim lives," dela Rosa said. "Do not be afraid, you drug addicts and pushers. This is your chance to have a new life," he said. "Our aim is for this campaign to be bloodless, if possible," he added.
Some 2,551 suspects died in police operations against drug users and pushers in the seven-month operation up to January 30, according to police statistics.
Human rights concerns
The PNP has been criticized by human rights groups which allege extrajudicial killings were systematic in Duterte's anti-drugs campaign, in which more than 8,000 people have been killed since he took office last June.
President Rodrigo DuterteImage: Reuters/E. Acayan
The US State Department said in its annual human rights report last week that there were serious concerns about police impunity and a growing number of vigilante and extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.
It noted Duterte had repeatedly said he would protect police from legal action.
Duterte's spokesman said in response the Philippines was committed to human rights but also said it was important not to link reports of abuses to the anti-drugs campaign, which was a "noble crusade."
When asked to comment on that, Duterte said criminals had no humanity.
