The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted to investigate abuses committed by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in his campaign against drug dealers, including widespread accounts of extrajudicial killings and other gross human rights violations. By the Philippine government’s own estimate, police have killed 6,600 people since Duterte’s inauguration three years ago. Human rights groups say the true toll could top 27,000. President Duterte has repeatedly boasted that he has personally murdered drug dealers. President Donald Trump has expressed admiration for Duterte, saying he’s done an “unbelievable job on the drug problem.”
This week, a funeral was held for the youngest victim of the Philippine drug war: 3-year-old Myca Ulpina, who was shot dead by police June 29 at her home near Manila. This is activist Rubylin Litao of the anti-drug-war group Rise Up for Life.
Rubylin Litao: “And here, another 3-year-old victim. They say it’s a collateral damage, but we say it’s not, because she was killed because of this war on drugs.”