A visit by Callamard could help clear the debate over whether the killings were state sponsored. Duterte has denied the allegations, saying the killings were perpetrated by vigilantes and rival drug syndicates. She underscored that trade incentives are not to be taken for granted, but that the EU also ties these to the observance of human rights standards,” said Kofler. Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, urged Duterte not to revive the death penalty and to allow an independent human rights probe of the war on drugs. “New Human Rights Watch research found that Philippines police have repeatedly carried out extrajudicial killings of drug suspects, and then falsely claimed self-defense.

Source: Manila Times March 18, 2017 16:18 UTC