Duterte's pick for top cop causes stir over drugs deaths, lockdown party

MANILA, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Philippine activists voiced
concern on Monday about President Rodrigo Duterte's choice of a
new police chief, warning of unchecked human rights abuses ahead
and a crackdown on dissent under his watch.
Debold Sinas's appointment also caused a stir on social
media, where users recalled how as Manila police chief he had
celebrated his birthday in May with dozens of senior officers at
a party that defied strict coronavirus lockdown rules.
Sinas is the latest commander to rise to the top post under
Duterte having led operations in bloody hotspots of his war on
drugs, during which thousands of urban poor have been killed,
many in mysterious circumstances.
Rights groups accuse police of executing suspected dealers.
Police say those killed in their operations were legitimate
targets who resisted arrest.
"What lies ahead for the Filipino people with Sinas's
appointment is a bloody party of human rights violations," said
Cristina Palabay of rights group, Karapatan.
"This fascist regime is gearing up for an intensified
crackdown on dissent and assault on human rights."
Sinas could not be reached and the national police did not
respond to a request for comment.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte valued his
track record and "big" contribution to drug war.
Asked about his suitability, Roque said Duterte need not
explain his appointments.
A United Nations report in June said tens of thousands of
people may have been killed in the drug war amid "near impunity"
for police and incitement to violence by top officials. The
government rejected that as baseless.
Sinas apologised after photographs online showed him with
dozens of police at his party in May, flouting a ban on
gatherings.
Carlos Conde, Philippines researcher for Human Rights Watch,
said drugs killings were rampant in the central region under
Sinas and his appointment did not bode well for human rights.
"He seems very loyal to Duterte and it looks like he's going
to do what Duterte would ask him to do," he said.