Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said there are neither anomalies nor deception on deaths related to the current aggressive drive campaign against illegal drugs. 

He was reacting to the statement issued by a group from University of the Philippines-Diliman which stated that the drug war killings continue under the administration of President Marcos.

In fact, the same group stated that a total of 28 people died in the illegal drugs campaign in January 2024 alone.

While Acorda said that there were indeed drug campaign-related deaths, he stressed that they were the results of the observance of what he described as use of necessary force doctrine in police operations.

“Meaning, although we do not wish anybody to die, but because in the act of self-defense and other circumstances, such deaths happened as a result of our operations,” said Acorda.

“While we wanted there will be aggressive operations, but we want it done honestly. When we want it done honestly, it goes within also about the respect for human rights,” he stressed.

Acorda said the respect for human rights was embodied in the five-point agenda he crafted and implemented when he assumed the top police post— particularly the fifth one which is the conduct of aggressive but honest law enforcement. 

Such a stand, he said, reinforces his third agenda, which is integrity enhancement for the PNP.

“Yours truly, being the Chief PNP and of course as I impress upon all our unit commanders on the ground, we don’t do any extrajudicial killings and it is not our part of doctrine,” said Acorda.

More than 6,000 suspected drug pushers and users died in police operation from July 2016 to June 2022 while thousands more died in thre same period at the hands of drug-war inspired vigilante groups.

A number of policemen were subjected to investigation-- a few were convicted--for allegedly manipulating documents and planting evidence to reinforce the notorious "nanlaban" (drug suspects attempted to shoot it out with cops) narrative.

Acorda sustained the stand of his predecessor, Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., for a less bloody drug war.

Acorda also led the welcoming of the Commission on Human Rights in the improvement of police operational procedures that focuses on respect for human rights and the rule of law.

In connection with the issue raised by Project Dahas of UP Diliman, Acorda said they are ready to look into the allegations once there are witnesses and proof of extra-judicial killings.

“If they have some facts or circumstances and witnesses that will say otherwise to what was reported to our units on the ground, we welcome them because again as I have said, we want our operations to be aggressive but we want it done honestly and we respect what we call rights of everyindividual,” said Acorda.