Philippines: Thousands march out in protest of Duterte’s drug war

Thousands of Philippines are protesting against the drug war embarked on by President Rodrigo Duterte which has thus far witnessed the killing of 7,080 people during the first seven months of the Duterte’s presidency.

Reports say the demonstrations led by Filipino Catholics condemn the ‘spreading culture of violence’ following the president’s anti-drug policy even as Duterte has vowed to kill more in his anti-drug fight, saying he will ask military to help in the war against drugs.

Read also: Egypt appoints first female governor after cabinet reshuffle

Regarded as the biggest rally yet against the killings, more than 20,000 members of one of the nation’s oldest and most powerful institutions prayed and sang hymns as they marched before dawn on Saturday, to condemn a “spreading culture of violence”.

In his comments during the rally, Manila bishop, Broderick Pabillo said Filipino’s have to stand up against the killings by Duterte.

He also noted that somehow, this is already a show of force by the faithful that they don’t like these extrajudicial killings.

“I am alarmed and angry at what’s happening because this is something that is regressive. It does not show our humanity”, he added.

Out of the 7,080 people killed, 2,555 were died in police operations, while 3,603 others were killed by unknown suspects.

 

 

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now