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US senators push ban on sale of weapons to PNP because of Duterte drug war


Two American senators have filed a bill barring the sale of certain weapons by the United States to the Philippine National Police over concerns about the rising death toll in the war on drugs at the centerpiece of the Duterte administration.

The bill called Philippines Human Rights Accountability and Counternarcotics Act of 2017 was filed by Ben Cardin and Marco Rubio.

"No defense articles or defense services may be exported, and no licenses for export of any item controlled by the United States for law enforcement, riot control, or related purposes may be issued, for the use of Philippine National Police or entities associated with the Philippine National Police," the bill reads.

These restrictions would not apply to the export of defense articles or the provision of training for maritime law enforcement (Coast Guard drug interdiction), criminal justice programs, human rights training, and counter-terrorism programs for the use of the Philippine National Police.

In a statement, Cardin expressed concern about what he termed "a campaign of extrajudicial killings" unleashed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Mr. Duterte must handle criminal issues through the rule of law and allow drug addicts access to the public health services and treatment they deserve," said Cardin.

"In the absence of such actions, this legislation is clear in its support for the Filipino people and the importance of our alliance, but also the consequences if Mr. Duterte's actions continue,” he added.

PNP figures show that legitimate police operations has led to the deaths of more than 2,600 drug personalities since July 1, 2016 when its war on drugs started under the Duterte administration.

Its statistics also point to more than 6,000 deaths under investigation — including those involving drug suspects — for the same period. The Philippine government has repeatedly denied that these deaths are state-sponsored, often pointing to vigilante groups as behind the killings.

Rubio, for his part, noted that the increasing number of supposed extrajudicial killings in the Philippines is "deeply alarming."

“This is not the right way to conduct an anti-drug campaign, and our legislation reflects our sincere desire to work with the Philippines to support human rights, expose narcotics networks emanating from mainland China and other countries, and use a public health approach to responsibly counter the dangers that drugs pose to our societies.” Rubio said.

The bill states that the US will continue to support the Philippines on defense, counter-terrorism, maritime law enforcement, and maritime domain awareness.

It also authorizes $50 million for the use of the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to "promote a public health approach to substance abuse and to support Filipino defenders of human rights, assist victims of human rights violations, respond to human rights emergencies, and promote and encourage the rule of law, including the support for nongovernmental organizations in the Philippines." —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST, GMA News

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