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PHILIPPINES-DRUG
Police kill 7 in drug bust in central Philippines
MANILA, Sept 27, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – Philippine police have killed seven
alleged drug suspects in Lapu-Lapu City in the central Philippine Cebu
province, police said on Thursday.
The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon when operatives responded to
a tip from concerned citizens that an illegal cavity is taking place in one
of the city’s villages, police said.
A shoot-out reportedly ensued between the police and the suspects that
resulted in the killing of the seven, police said, adding that the seven were
also arrested in the police operation, police added.
Police said operatives recovered handguns and sachets of illicit drugs
from the scene.
On Thursday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) said a total
444 drug suspects were killed in August, or 14 per day in the month.
PDEA said that from July 1, 2016 to Aug. 31, 2018, a total of 4,854
suspects were killed while 155,193 others were arrested in 108,058 anti-drug
operations nationwide.
Police have claimed that those killed in the anti-drug operations fought
it out with operatives forcing police to shoot back.
A nationwide survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted on June
27 to 30 asked 1,200 Filipinos to respond to their views on the current
administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, finding 78 percent satisfied
and 13 percent dissatisfied with it.
Nine percent of the respondents said they were undecided on the matter.
The survey institution said these data yielded a net satisfaction rating
of 65 and the number classified by SWS as “very good”.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched an anti-drug war when he
assumed office in June 2016, saying the illicit drug operations have become a
menace to his country.
BSS/XINHUA/FI/ 0912 hrs