Amnesty Condemns Duterte's Admission of Extrajudicial Killings

Manila: Amnesty International on Friday condemned an admission by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte that extrajudicial killings have occurred during his term in office. Duterte acknowledged for the first time on Thursday the killings during his administration´s war on drugs campaign in which over 4,800 suspected drug users and dealers have been killed, calling them “my only sin”, reports Efe news.

Amnesty International said in a statement that “this apparent admission by the President himself highlights the urgent need for international investigations into the thousands of killings and other human rights violations committed in the name of the government’s war on drugs”. The President’s spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday that Duterte was being “playful” and his comments “should not be taken literally”. The International Court of Justice is currently examining two criminal complaints against the Philippine president. (IANS)