Newsbreak Reads: ‘Nanlaban sila’: Duterte’s war on drugs

MANILA, Philippines – In the government’s continuing war against illegal drugs, it’s kill or be killed.

The Philippines’ top cop and even President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly told law enforcers not to waver in the crackdown against drugs – to shoot suspected drug users if necessary, if they fight back. 

But as images of lifeless bodies on Manila’s streets grab international headlines, the police force finds itself having to defend itself from criticism of human rights violations and inaction against extrajudicial killings. In the war against drugs, who wins and who loses? – Rappler.com

13-minute listen. Written by Bea Cupin, read by Chay Hofileña, edited by Jaene Zaplan. If you missed this story earlier, you can read the full text story here.

• Listen to the 1st episode: Newsbreak Reads: Rowena Tiamson, not a drug pusher
• Listen to the 2nd episode: Newsbreak Reads: Drug user? No, Oman was a good son
• Listen to the 3rd episode: Newsbreak Reads: In war on drugs, lives of police at risk too
• Listen to the 4th episode: Newsbreak Reads: Martial law, the dark chapter in Philippine history
• Listen to the 6th episode: Newsbreak Reads: Propaganda war: Weaponizing the internet