Police in Philippines kill 21 suspected drug users

Police killed over 20 suspected drug users during overnight raids in Bulacan province in Central Luzon Region between Monday night and Tuesday morning, local media quoting police officials said.

This is the highest number of drug users killed in a single day by police since President Rodrigo Duterte launched his anti-drug campaign last year.

Philippine National Police said 21 suspected drug users were shot and killed when they resisted arrest, according to ABS-CBN News Channel which quoted provincial police department's Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat.

At least 64 other suspects were also arrested while 21 firearms and more than 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of Shabu (methamphetamine) were confiscated during separate raids, Caramat said.

More than 5,000 suspected drug pushers or users have been killed in alleged gunfights with law enforcers and in drug-related homicides since the crackdown started.