United States concerned over killings in Philippines

The United States on Tuesday expressed concern over the spate of extrajudicial killings and detentions in the Philippines, which under President Rodrigo Duterte has undertaken a crackdown on drugs and criminality. Elizabeth Trudeau, director of the United States Department of State’s press office, said Washington urges the Philippines to follow legal and human rights principles in its efforts against illegal drugs. President Rodrigo Duterte chats with US Secretary of State John Kerry during a courtesy call at the Malacañan Palace on July 27, 2016. PPD/King Rodriguez “We are concerned by these detentions, as well as the extrajudicial killing of individuals suspected to be involved in drug activity in the Philippines,” Trudeau said at a press briefing in Washington, a transcript of which was released by the State Department on Tuesday (Manila time). “We strongly urge the Philippines to ensure its law enforcement efforts comply with its human rights obligations,” she added. The statement...