From July 1 to Oct. 25, at least 4,715 people have been killed in connection with President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, according to Philippine National Police records.
Of the number, 3,001 were killed by unknown assailants and 1,714 others died in police operations.
But policemen have been reportedly engaged in vigilante-style killings, blurring the lines between a legitimate operation and an extrajudicial killing.
On Oct. 9, the Citizens Crime Watch regional head, Zenaida Luz, was shot dead outside her house in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro province, by two armed men on a motorcycle, one wearing a wig and another a ski mask.
It turned out that the gunmen were ranking police officers—Senior Insp. Magdaleno Pimentel Jr. and Insp. Markson Almeranez.
Luz was working on a livelihood program for former drug users and pushers who had surrendered to authorities in response to President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. —COMPILED BY INQUIRER RESEARCH
Sources: Inquirer Archives