These
shocking images show how a bloody drugs war in the Philippines is forcing jails
to breaking point with dozens of criminals packed into tiny cells. Startling
footage shows convicted drug dealers crammed in side-by-side as a prison almost
bursts at the seems with criminals.
An
investigation by Sky News reveals that Quezon City Jail currently has more than
3,000 inmates within its walls - despite being built to only house 800.
With
barely any space to move, convicts can be seen glumly staring from behind bars
as every inch of space is used.
President
Rodrigo Duterte has pledged to beat drugs in the nation by any means necessary.
His
crackdown has seen more than 40,000 drug-related arrests since July but the
impact on jails has meant many inmates are forced to sleep in recreation areas
as there is no room whatsoever in cells.
Crammed
in like battery cage hens, more than 130 people sleep in cells built for no
more than 30.
Lying
side by side, the criminals do not even have enough room to stretch out.
As
many as 10 people will also share a single bunk, Sky News reports.
Duterte's
war on drugs, the key plank of his campaign for a May election, has claimed
about 5,000 lives since July 1.
Those
killed were mostly street level peddlers and users, who police said had
resisted arrest.
More
than 3,000 others were killed by motorcycle-riding masked men and vigilantes
during the same period, but Duterte has denied the police are conducting
extrajudicial killings.
Last
week, senators, including the president's close allies, criticised the way
Duterte has carried out his anti-narcotics campaign, saying it should be done
within the limits of the law and that he must also punish erring police
officers.
Senators
said in a report that while they had found no clear proof that the rising
number of extra-judicial killings was related to state-sponsored actions, they
have told Duterte to observe due process and give the accused their day in
court.
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