Philippines’ war on drugs: Almost 1,800 People Have Died in Seven Weeks

The figure is higher than the 900 deaths previously cited by officials. The death toll from the Philippines’ war on drugs initiated by new President Rodrigo Duterte has risen to nearly 1,800 in the seven weeks since he took office, far higher than originally believed, the country’s police chief revealed during a Senate hearing Monday. Ronald dela Rosa, the head of the Philippine National Police, told a Senate committee that 712 people have been killed since Duterte was sworn in on June 30, Reuters reported. Another 1,067 drug-related killings, reportedly carried out by vigilantes, are being investigated. Source and image: Time Share this:TweetEmail

August 24, 2016

The figure is higher than the 900 deaths previously cited by officials.

The death toll from the Philippines’ war on drugs initiated by new President Rodrigo Duterte has risen to nearly 1,800 in the seven weeks since he took office, far higher than originally believed, the country’s police chief revealed during a Senate hearing Monday.

Ronald dela Rosa, the head of the Philippine National Police, told a Senate committee that 712 people have been killed since Duterte was sworn in on June 30, Reuters reported. Another 1,067 drug-related killings, reportedly carried out by vigilantes, are being investigated.