Group stages rally denouncing drug war killings

Members of Bayan hold a protest in front of the House of Representatives, Quezon City, calling for justice for victims of Duterte’s Tokhang and EJK. (Photo courtesy of Bayan Muna Partylist)

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) held a protest on Wednesday, decrying the alleged extra-judicial killings (EJKs) during the brutal war on drugs of the administration of Rodrigo Duterte. 

Approximately a hundred Bayan members gathered outside the House of Representatives south gate holding banners bearing “Duterte ikulong” (Imprison Duterte), as the chamber’s quad committee pushed through its probe into the former chief executive’s controversial anti-drug campaign.

Meanwhile, supporters of Duterte also gathered in front of Batasan Hills National High School near the lower chamber’s south gate. 

Duterte arrived for the mega panel’s 11th hearing, which was supposed to be moved to November 21. 

Based on reports, Duterte’s war on drugs left at least 6,000 people dead. 

Data from human rights watchdog Karapatan, however, showed that the war on drugs resulted in some 30,000 deaths.