Duterte brings back police to wage anti-narcotics war

Philippine activists decry decision amid accusations the force committed many abuses during the deadly campaign

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has brought back the national police to his anti-narcotics war, two months after suspending the force from the campaign that has killed thousands of mostly poor Filipinos.

Duterte directed the Philippine National Police on Dec. 5 to provide "active support" to all drug-related operations.

He had previously removed the force from the campaign amid reports of police committing gross rights violations.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency "remains the overall lead agency" in conducting the campaign.

He said the president was responding to a "public clamor" to bring the national police back to the anti-narcotics campaign.

There has been "a notable resurgence in illegal drug activities and crimes" since the national police and other law enforcement agencies were barred from participating in operations, Roque said.

This decision "signals more deaths of innocent civilians and more human rights violations," Faith-based group Rise Up told ucanews.com.

"We have documented various human rights violations in the war on drugs," said Rubylin Litao, spokesperson of the group.

Rise Up is helping families of victims file charge against police. Litao said they are currently readying a new set of criminal and administrative cases.

At least two Catholic bishops said reintroducing the national police to the war on drugs is a "bad decision."

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Duterte's decision "shows the manner of his fickle-minded rule."

Retired bishop Teodoro Bacani of Novaliches said Duterte was "more interested in body counts" instead of implementing "significant reforms" in law enforcement.