PNP opens drug deaths records to DOJ scrutiny. Inquirer Newsletter May 25, 2021

No images? Click here       Business PH seen unlikely to hit 2021 economic targets The prolonged COVID-19 quarantine and slow mass vaccination are hurting domestic consumption and production, such that think tank Moody’s Analytics sees the Philippines to underperform in the region en route to economic recovery. —Story by Ben O. de Vera Read more: newsinfo.inquirer.net   World Japan’s Osaka buckles under virus onslaught Hospitals in Japan’s second largest city of Osaka are buckling under a huge wave of new coronavirus infections, running out of beds and ventilators as exhausted doctors warn of a “system collapse,” and advise against holding the Olympics this summer. —Story by REUTERS AND AFP Read more: newsinfo.inquirer.net   Newsletter / Join us Has this been forwarded by a friend? Subscribe now to the Philippine Daily Inquirer Newsletter and get your latest news and important updates on COVID-19. Subscribe   Listen here     Banner Story PNP opens drug deaths records to DOJ scrutiny The new chief of the Philippine National Police has allowed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to check the records of least 61 police operations that resulted in the deaths of drug suspects, Justice Secretary Menardo Gueverra said on Monday. Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar’s move ended his predecessors’ policy that, Guevarra said, made it “rather difficult” for a DOJ-led review panel to carry out President Duterte’s order to look into the government’s bloody drug war, Guevarra said. Eleazar took the helm of the 220,000-strong PNP on May 7, replacing Police Gen. Debold Sinas who retired. Human rights groups have condemned the killing of hundreds of people in the drug war. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has described the Philippines’ human rights situation as near impunity as the antidrug operations supposedly targeted innocent individuals. “The decision of the new PNP chief … is a very significant milestone in the government’s efforts to exact accountability,” Guevarra told the Inquirer. “While eradication of the illegal drug scourge remains a top priority of the present administration, it is also its major concern to conduct this campaign in the proper way and preserve its legitimate character,” he said. Guevarra said at least 61 cases were already investigated by the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP, the primary law enforcement agency that implemented Mr. Duterte’s brutal crackdown on the illegal drug trade. 5,655 police operations On June 30 last year, the justice chief announced in a video speech to the 44th UNHRC meeting that the DOJ-led interagency panel was created to evaluate 5,655 police antidrug operations that resulted in deaths. The panel is also made up of the PNP, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, Presidential Management Staff, Dangerous Drugs Board, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the National Bureau of Investigation. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH INQ Read more: newsinfo.inquirer.net   Editorial Illegal fishing ban Hundreds of Chinese maritime militia ships are still scattered across the West Philippine Sea, and yet here comes another China intrusion–its annual 'fishing ban' in the South China Sea that threatens areas within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.  Read full story: opinion.inquirer.net           Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  Copyright © 2020 PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 2353, Makati Central Post Office, 1263 Makati City, Philippines. Preferences  |  Unsubscribe