Gov’t seeks more time to submit drug war records

MANILA – The government will ask the Supreme Court for more time to answer its order to hand over records of thousands of deadly encounters in its war on drugs.

It will not comply until President Rodrigo Duterte agrees, the Philippine National Police chief said.

The high court on April 3 gave police 15 days to comply with a December order to submit records related to the bloody drug war.

Solicitor General Jose Calida attempted to block this on the grounds of national security, arguing it could endanger police, informants and witnesses.

“As of this time, there is a motion being prepared,” the new PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde told a news conference.

He said the police would take orders from Duterte before releasing any information about the drugs war.

“Maybe, even without the Supreme Court order, he may order us to give the records,” he added.

Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te said he was unaware of any submission from the police.

Since June 2016 about 4,100 people have been killed by police and several thousand more by unknown gunmen whom the authorities have described as vigilantes or rival gang members.

Police denied activist allegations they have falsified reports, staged crime scenes and systematically murdered small-time peddlers and users, and said those killed had violently resisted arrest.

In December the Supreme Court ordered Calida to submit details of those killed in police operations and other drug-related deaths.

It also asked for information on each deadly encounter, the police and witnesses involved, and to see copies of warrants against all suspects who were killed.

The order covers the period between July 2016 and November 2017, when two complainants, including a group of Manila slum dwellers, petitioned the court to make details publicly available.

Calida filed a motion attempting to keep operational details secret but the high court dismissed this.

Albayalde’s predecessor, Ronald dela Rosa, on Wednesday said the 15-day deadline was unfeasible because the paperwork was “voluminous.” (Reuters)

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