DSWD Sec. Taguiwalo: We do not tolerate extra judicial killings and we are all for due process. pic.twitter.com/gTcfkMjR3J

— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) October 6, 2016

MANILA (UPDATED)- A Cabinet secretary believes that extra-judicial killings are not the solution to the drug problem in the country.

"We do not tolerate extrajudicial killings and we are all for due process, and we must strengthen our voice when it comes to promoting humane and compassionate means to end or mitigate the drug problem," Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said Thursday, speaking as part of the Duterte Cabinet.

She said the drug problem can be addressed without using violence.

"Our country's drug problem has to be addressed through interventions by targeting the root causes: poverty caused by lack of social support for many Filipinos, corruption in various levels in the various agencies of government, and lack of sustainable, productive employment for the poor," she added.

Over 1,000 drug suspects have been killed after supposedly fighting it out with cops during operations. The ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group has recorded a total 1,947 deaths for the period of May 10 to October 6.

• MAP, CHARTS: The Death Toll of the War on Drugs:

Taguiwalo was the guest of honor in a gathering of women from different faiths who stand united in the belief that life is valuable and sacred. The conference tackled issues close to women's hearts.

Luz Frances Chua, Executive Director of the Catholics for Reproductive Health (C4RH), said women's groups are also urging a stop on killings and to implore Duterte to allocate resources in anti-poverty programs instead.

"Itigil na ang extra judicial killings, bahagi ito ng karahasan. Sana pakinggan ng Pangulong Duterte na i-uphold nya ang batas, ang due process," said Chua.

"Totoo na ang problema sa droga ay malala na at kailangang supilin, pero ang solusyon sa droga ay dalat malawak at sustainable, hindi ako naniniwala sa extra judicial killings, kailangan pa rin ng due process" she added.

Chua explained that in the administration's war on drugs, women are also victims.

"Kung anak niya iyan, sinong ina ang gustong makita ang anak na namamatay ng ganun ganun na lang, walang pasintabi binaril na lamang," she said.

Taguiwalo believes drug victims must be given the chance to change.

DSWD Sec. Taguiwalo: we must promote humane and compassionate means to end or mitigate the drug problem. pic.twitter.com/9CegBn8vpV

— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) October 6, 2016

"Ang sinasabi natin we want to help drug users and pushers to rehabilitate themselves and return to society," she said.

But Taguiwalo also clarified that rehabilitation is one of Duterte's major programs.

"Three pronged yan na simultaneous, suppression prosecution, and rehabilitation. Nakikita mo na sumusurrender sila, napapatay dahil nanlaban, may pulis rin naman na nasasaktan, tinutulungan din namin sila," she added.

Taguiwalo said Duterte already tasked the Health Department to set up four huge rehabilitation centers, one of which will be a 2,500-bed capacity unit opening by November in Nueva Ecija. This is being constructed through donations from private firms.