ABS-CBN categorized these fatalities tagged in drugs by the way they were killed:
1) Killed during police operations: the alleged drug suspects were killed by policemen in anti-illegal drug operations (such as buy-bust operations, Oplan Tokhang, Oplan Galugad etc.) that reportedly escalated to a shootout. This category also includes those killed by policemen after the alleged drug suspects were reportedly caught in the act of engaging in suspected illegal activities, whether drug-related or not.
2) Killed by unidentified assailants: the individuals tagged in drugs were killed by unidentified assailants in shooting incidents or by motorcycle-riding gunmen. The incident was either witnessed by other people or captured on CCTV.
3) Bodies found away from the crime scene: the victims’ bodies were discovered away from the crime scene. The body either bears a label tagging them in drug-related activities (usually a cardboard bearing the words “drug pusher” “drug user” or “drug addict”) or there are reportedly illegal drugs recovered from the body. The victims’ faces and bodies usually bear gunshot wounds, and sometimes even stab wounds. The victims’ arms or legs, or both, are also usually bound and their bodies wrapped in tape.
The war on drugs undertaken by President Rodrigo Duterte has become a polarizing affair that is dividing a nation weary of criminal rampancy. At one end are the police trying to effect much-needed change while at the opposite side are legislators affirming the rule of law.
Sen. Ralph Recto ponders the long-term repercussions of the war on drugs, particularly on citizens' level of trust with the police.
SOURCE: ABS-CBN
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