'Impunity remained': US report shows drug-related killings continue in Philippines

FILE - An alleged drug dealer is handcuffed after a drug buy bust operation conducted by policemen where they caught this 18 year old boy selling marijuana in Manila on May 12, 2018. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs has left nearly 4,000 drug suspects dead and seen human rights groups claim he was responsible for a crime against humanity. The anti-drugs campaign enjoys popular support while the fiery-tongued Duterte has rejected any criticism of his human rights record.

AFP / Noel Celis

MANILA, Philippines — Unlawful killings linked to the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs continue, according to a report from the United States Department of State.

The US state department's 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices listed significant human rights issues in the Philippines, including unlawful or arbitrary killings, reports of forced disappearance, torture by and on behalf of the government and non-state actors, among others.

Unlawful or politically motivated killings

The report pointed out that there were numerous reports of killings of activists, judicial officials, local government leaders, and journalists by government allies, antigovernment insurgents, and unknown assailants over the past year.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/13/2174315/impunity-remained-us-report-shows-drug-related-killings-continue-philippines