Philippines plans to take drug war to schools with searches, random testing

By Reuters

The Philippines is planning to take President Rodrigo Duterte's ferocious drugs war to schools with the inspection of bags and lockers, as well as random testing for teachers, to curb demand for illegal substances, officials said on Friday (June 22). The firebrand leader unleashed an anti-narcotics campaign after coming to office in June 2016, during which police have killed more than 4,200 suspected drugs dealers and users. Several thousand more have been killed by unknown gunmen, who authorities have described as vigilantes or rival gang members. Rights groups and critics of the campaign say some of the killings were summary executions. Police deny such allegations, saying they had to use deadly force because the suspects were armed and had resisted arrest.