As body counts continue to rack up, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs manifests no signs of slowing down.
Statistics revealed that more than 700 persons were killed in police operations since the Davao City's long time Mayor took office last June. The total figure is inching closer towards the 2000-mark and many of the unsolved killings have been attributed to vigilante groups.
Just this month, the Philippine Senate has unraveled an inquiry on extrajudicial killings against the Philippine National Police (PNP). According to PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa, no shoot to kill order has been issued against any drug personality. Although he reiterated that miscalculations have been done by police officers, the people in general are happy with the campaign.
But mixed reactions are being felt in the Philippine streets.
Muntinlupa-based CEO Juan Carlos Bautista said things began to improve since the crackdown. He pointed out that the situation is already bad even before the new president was voted into office. The 600,000 pushers and addicts who surrendered is itself a reflection that shows how worrisome the drug menace in the country.
However, not everyone shares the CEO's views.
Zena Bernardo, who has been employed with a non-government organization that is helping single parents affected by the violence, considered the trend scary and disgusting. She pointed out that the killings suddenly turn personal when family members or relatives are dragged into the casualty list.
Earlier, the New York Times has featured a photo of Jennilyn Olayres cradling the lifeless body of her partner, Michael Siaron, on its front page which did not sit well with the Philippine President.
Duterte has slammed the media for dramatizing the situation. However, despite all the complications of the current drug war, the present administration continues to receive an astounding 91 percent approval rating.
