The U.S. government has expressed concern over extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users in a bloody crackdown overseen by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and urged his government to ensure law enforcement efforts comply with human rights obligations.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau on Monday criticised recent remarks by Mr. Duterte and said Philippine officials have been asked to clarify them. The President recently referred to the U.S. ambassador as gay and accused him of meddling in the Philippine elections.
More than 400 suspected drug dealers and pushers have died and 4,400 have been arrested since Mr. Duterte took office on June 30. Nearly 600,000 people have surrendered to authorities, hoping to avoid being killed. The arrests have further overwhelmed already-overcrowded jails.
