War on drugs should be stopped.

WAR ON DRUGS SHOULD BE STOPPED

                                                  People who are arrested during the Oplan Tokhang raids.
                                                                       (Photo courtesy: Joel Liporada)

             Drugs is often heard in the news. People who use and sell drugs have become notorious. Nowadays, teenagers are using drugs; We can't deny the fact that the minors are already influenced by it. "War on drugs" should be stopped, the campaign "Oplan Tokhang" killed a lot of people. It already affects our country. Our President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte should wake up and be enlightened of what is happening. Be worry of the power given to the police. Some police officers abused the power to the extent that they think high of themselves. I agreed about the campaign at first but to think that this is getting out of hand is not good anymore. President Duterte help a lot but killing and not listening to the people, it's useless. 

                                                         People did a rally for Kian Delos Santos
                                                                           (Photo Courtesy:Kathy Yamzon

             People are scared already because of this "War on drugs" campaign. They are scared that someone might frame them up because of the grudges that the person holds. There's a possibility that they can encounter a situation where drugs is involve. A 17-year old student was killed by the police during Tokhang-related incident in Caloocan (Mong Palatino, The Diplomat 2017). As seen on the CCTV he was being dragged by the police which convinced people that the Tokhang Operation killed another innocent person. This can cause netizens and people being angry and scared for their lives. Duterte must not give too much power to the police men.

                                                          Project Tokhang From July 1-13 2016
                                                                   (Photo courtesy: Philippine National Police)
                        

             Oplan Tokhang involves extreme killing and the killing of minors. 54 children have been killed already since 2016. The Catholic Church issued a strong statement against drug-related killing. Police also intensified the Tokhang Operation and produced a record of killing. Infact they killed 32 drug suspects in Bulacan Province and 26 in Manila (Mong Palatino, The Diplomat 2017). Our President even praised the Operation by saying "Thirty two were killed in a massive raid. If we could kill 32 everyday, then we could reduce what ails this country" The National Police estimated that more than 6,000 were killed since July 1, 2016. They said that they shoot people for 'self-defense' You can shoot elsewhere not by killing them. He recently boasted of killing suspects by himself.

                                       President Duterte during his speech on April 29 at ASEAN Summit
                                                                        (Photo Courtesy: investvine.com)

          

             Duterte is destroying our image internationally. People who speaks up their negative opinion about his campaign was threaten. President Roa Duterte threatened to kill human right activists because they criticize his campaign. At a press conference he responded to one question by saying "Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination" (Robert Muggah, The Guardian 2017). Who wouldn't be discouraged? He threatened someone's life. A lot of people who lives abroad must think negatively about the Philippines now. Duterte also threatened to withdraw from the UN in response to criticism of his rug war. The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings cancelled a visit to the country after the apply unprecedented conditions on her visit. 

                                                       STOP THE KILLING. Protesters in Manila
                                                                               (Photo courtesy: Rappler)

             Bolder action is already needed. From the reasons stated above, this can be a proper excuse to stop "War on drugs". This is getting out of hand, everything is getting worst. The President should be enlightened and review his doings because not all of the accused are drug users and dealers. Oplan Tokhang itself is the problem, War on drugs need to stop for it harmed people severely.