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The San Francisco Police Department in the United States has ended its 16 year training program with the Philippine National Police as it expressed concern about the government's war on drugs that left more than a thousand dead.

In a statement aired over CBS News, it said they have have ended their partnership training amid “concerns over allegations of civil rights and human rights violations in the Philippines.”

Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesperson, declined to issue a statement on Thursday, saying they are waiting for official communication from the San Francisco Police.

Chief Superintendent John Sosito, PNP Training Service Director, said they have not received formal communication. "I don't want to comment. It's speculative at this point," Sosito told reporters in a phone interview on Thursday.

The SFPD, through the Filipino-American Law Enforcement Organization (FALEO) has been helping the PNP in terms of not only equipment but training since 1999.

On a yearly basis, its officers visit the national police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, donating equipment such as protective vests.

Retired San Francisco police lieutenant Eric Quema of FALEO lamented the situation in the Philippines has gotten worse because of the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

"Our nation is in turmoil and trouble and it just gets worse and worse. Economically, because of this controversy, it affects every segment of making us a better nation and better people," Quema said in the CBS interview

A total of 1,725 drug suspects have been killed in law enforcement operations, according to latest police statistics.

Meanwhile, 3,001 others were victims of murder and homicide cases since July 1.

Quema is urging the Philippine government to rethink its war on drugs.

"Try to get some diplomatic talking and communication going on because

fighting just drags everybody down, break ties that has been historically there for years," he said. Emmanuel Tupas/DMS