Philippines Plans to Take Drug War to Schools With Searches, Testing

Philippines Plans to Take Drug War to Schools With Searches, Testing
Philippine's President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the 120th Philippine Independence day celebration at the Emilio Aguinaldo shrine in Kawit, Cavite Philippines June 12, 2018. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
|Updated:

MANILA—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.

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.