Stepped-up operations against drug suspects since May 9, Election Day, have recorded at least 29 dead, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.
The PNP’s Directorate for Investigative and Detective Management (DIDM) chalked up the number from May 10 to June 15.
By regions, Central Luzon accounted for the most number of drug suspects killed with 12, followed by Southern Tagalog with 6, Central Visayas with 5 and Soccskargen with 4.
In the same period, 3,760 drug suspects were arrested, the DIDM said.
Also by regions, Southern Tagalog had the highest number of drug suspects arrested with 1,155, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila with 883, Central Luzon with 553, Northern Mindanao with 204, Ilocos with 106, Davao with 96, Bicol with 76, Mimaropa with 70, Soccskargen with 64, Caraga with 63, Eastern Visayas with 60, Western Mindanao with 46, Cagayan Valley with 40, Cordillera with 9 and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with 2.
The Negros provinces accounted for 110 drug suspects arrested.
The PNP spokesman, Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, also on Friday said use of firearms during police operations is justified when the offender poses imminent danger of causing death or injury to a police officer or another person.
“The use of firearms is also justified under the doctrines of self-defense, defense of a relative and defense of a stranger, However, one who resorts to self-defense must face a real threat on his life, and the peril sought to be avoided must be actual, imminent and real,” Mayor added.
The PNP spokesman said unlawful aggression should be present for self-defense to be considered as a justifying circumstance.