Philippines says Washington Post story on alleged killings ”seeks to discredit” country

February 26, 2019

The Philippines on Tuesday protested a Washington Post story on alleged killings in Manila as it "seeks to discredit the Philippines in the eyes of the international community."

"We take strong exception to the article entitled, 'This is Manila" that appeared on the front page of the Washington Post on 25 February 2019," the Philippine Embassy in Washington said in a statement.

"It is disappointing how this article hides behind the guise of journalism to advance an agenda that seeks to discredit the Philippines in the eyes of the international community."

The story is about the killing of a 44-year-old jobless man in Tondo whose body was found floating under a bridge in Jan. 14.

"His is a portrait of one more life broken — and one more death left unexplained — in a city with many such stories," the Washington Post article said. "Whether the deaths are mostly related to Duterte’s war on drugs is unclear. But what connects them all is a kind of numbed silence."

"Since President Rodrigo Duterte rose to power more than two years ago, the death toll from his war on drugs has kept climbing. Authorities report that more than 5,000 'drug personalities' have been killed in police operations around the country."

The embassy said "the article paints a picture not of Manila, but of a hasty generalization that has no foundation in reality."

"Unsurprisingly, the article fails to mention that majority of the Filipino people continue to back their government in the fight against illegal drugs," the embassy said.

It said a survey by the Social Weather Stations showed eight out of 10 Filipinos are satisfied with the fovernment’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

It also cited a Pulse Asia survey showing public support at 77 percent among Metro Manila residents. 

"Reduced criminality is a major driver of public support," the embassy said.

According to the Philippine National Police, total crime volume has gone down from 675,816 in 2015 to 473,068 in 2018, or a total decrease of 30 percent, the embassy noted.

Erring policemen were given disciplinary penalties, including dismissal from service, demotion, suspension, forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction and withholding of privileges, the embassy said.

"As a nation that cherishes freedom, democracy and justice, and as a responsible member of the international community, the Philippines upholds the rule of law and human rights in all its endeavors," it said.  DMS