Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed concern over what she described as a "growing culture of vigilantism and violence" under the Duterte administration.
In a statement, Robredo, who is now officially part of the administration’s inner circle after accepting a Cabinet post, aired her sentiments regarding the rampant killings.
"While we are one with the fight against drugs, we are concerned with the growing culture of vigilantism and violence," she said.
"We hope that the war is not done at the expense of the innocent and defenseless," she added.
Robredo also urged her former colleagues in Congress not to turn a blind eye on these cases and proceed with an investigation while still following the due process of law.
"If there is really culpability, then justice requires that appropriate cases be filed and that those proven to be accountable be punished," she said.
Robredo’s statement comes after a sudden spike in the extrajudicial killings of dozens of drug suspects who have already surrendered or allegedly tried to resist arrest.
The Commission on Human Rights for its part has expressed alarm, estimating the average number of killings under the Duterte administration at 10 incidents each day.