Philippines’ President Duterte fires drugs tsar

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday fired Leni Robredo, who is vice president, from the role of “drugs tsar”, his spokesman said, accusing her of undermining the campaign.

Leni Robredo, a political rival who was elected separately from Duterte, accepted the role just over two weeks ago, against the advice of her allies, who said Duterte’s offer was a trap designed to discredit her. Robredo had angered Duterte by criticising his police-centred approach to fighting drugs, and the thousands of people killed in his crackdown.

Human rights groups say many victims were users and smalltime peddlers systematically executed by police. Police and the Duterte administration reject those accusations. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo cited Robredo’s meetings with “out of touch” Manila-based officials of the United Nations and the United States embassy, as one of the reasons for her sacking.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo cited Robredo’s meetings with “out of touch” Manila-based officials of the United Nations and the United States embassy, as one of the reasons for her sacking.

“The vice president resorted to unduly baiting international attention on the matter, particularly from persons or entities that know little or none at all about our situation, other than their own bias or unsubstantiated prejudgment,” Panelo said in a statement. Senator Risa Hontiveros said Duterte was insecure and worried that Robredo would upstage him.