Bayan welcomes PNP “suspension” of war on drugs 

January 31, 2017

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said it welcomes the Philippine National Police (PNP) "suspension on the“war on drugs” as it tries to “address corruption within its ranks.”

“The admission by the president that 40 percent of the police force is corrupt is an indication that the drug war will ultimately fail,” said Bayan in a statement on Tuesday.

Bayan said PNP must “address the culture of impunity so deeply rooted in the police force.” “If (President Rodrigo) Duterte is really serious in reforms within the PNP, he must end the reign of impunity and corruption. Top officials should now be held accountable,” said Bayan

“This is the same mentality that gives rise to the killing of suspects while in detention, the torture of detainees, police violence against peaceful protesters and most recently, murder inside the PNP National Headquarters,” the statement said.

Bayan said past administrations “ have failed to hold the police accountable for numerous crimes.’

“We need only to recall the tortures and killings during Martial Law, the Mendiola Massacre, "salvagings", the Kuratong Baleleng rubout, the Dacer-Corbito murders, the Luisita Massacre, the Euro Generals corruption case, the Kidapawan shootings, Mamasapano and Purisima,” said Bayan. DMS