After Drug War, Philippines' Duterte Crushes $5.5million Worth of Luxury Cars In Anti-Corruption Drive

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has overseen the destruction of $5.5 million worth of luxury vehicles and motorcycles as part of his drive against corruption.

The vehicles, which were destroyed on Monday, were all part of a haul of 800 illegally imported cars into the Philippines, a government press statement said.

A government video shows Duterte watching on as a bulldozer crushes 76 smuggled cars and motorbikes, including car models such as a Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.

"You know, before a place can really be developed or a viable place to do business, you have to establish first law and order,"Duterte said on Monday, according to an official government press release.

This is not the first time confiscated luxury cars were bulldozed in Philippines in full public view. Back in February, the President had ordered a similar exercise for the destruction of 30 luxury vehicles.

Duterte’s rule as president has also seen him unleash a ‘war on narcotics’ that most human rights organizations have called illegal as the police have been given free rein to shoot on site those suspected of trading in drugs with little to no accountability.

The president of Philippines has also initiated a mass of purge of government officials – especially those who could hold his government to account including the country’s female Chief Justice.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2018 02:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).