10 suspects killed in Northern Philippines drug raids

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

At least ten suspects were killed after they fought with police in 24-hour simultaneous anti-narcotics operations in 23 cities and towns in Northern Philippines’ Bulacan Province from Thursday to Friday.

The drug raids also led to the arrest of 136 drug suspects and the seizure of 112 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or locally known as shabu and 66 grams of marijuana, said provincial Police Chief Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr. as quoted by Inquirer News.

Three of the suspects were killed in the provinces’ capital Malolos City, two in the town of Norzagaray while the towns of Bocaue, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Pandi and Plaridel have seen one death from the most recent bloody operations. President Rodrigo Duterte last August lauded the provincial police of Bulacan for the 66 anti-drug operations which resulted in the killing of 32 suspects and the arrest of 107 personalities.

“That’s good,” said Duterte. “If we kill another 32, maybe we can reduce what ails this country.”

Meanwhile, Police Chief Director General Bato dela Rosa during his visit to the Northern Philippines Ilocos provincial police on Thursday said the police want to capture the suspects alive.

“We want to capture them alive. What’s the use of waging this war on drugs if you do not value life?” said Dela Rosa.

Recently released police data showed a little over 3,800 drug suspects were killed in anti-drug operations since Duterte’s drugs crackdown was launched in July last year, contrary to the 7,000 claimed by the Human Rights Watch (HRW).