President Duterte
President Duterte marked his first year in power on Friday. Here are the figures that help explain key events and issues surrounding his presidency:
3,171
Number of people that police have reported killing as part of Mr. Duterte’s controversial campaign to eradicate illegal drugs from society. The President has made the war on drugs the top priority of his first year in office, saying it was meant to prevent the Philippines from becoming a narcostate.
Critics allege that Mr. Duterte has unleashed a campaign of mass murder by police and unknown assailants, urged on by the President, who had said he would be “happy to slaughter” millions of addicts.
While the government does not keep count of vigilante killings, it has recorded 2,098 “drug-related” homicides over the past year and 8,200 other violent deaths that are under investigation.
75
Percentage of adult Filipinos who are satisfied with the Duterte administration’s performance, according to the latest nationwide public survey conducted by an independent research institute from March 25 to 28. Only 9 percent said they were dissatisfied, according to the survey, showing that many Filipinos backed Mr. Duterte and his drug war tactics.
6.4
Percentage of economic growth in the first quarter of the year. Although this was below many analysts’ expectations and the lowest quarterly expansion in a year, the Philippine economy remains one of the fastest-growing in Asia-Pacific.
Analysts have praised Mr. Duterte for tasking reputable figures with stewardship of the economy. They expect the Philippines will continue to be one of the region’s best performers. The government is aiming for growth of 6.5-7.5 percent this year.
24 billion
Amount of money, in US dollars, that Mr. Duterte said would come from China due to his efforts to improve bilateral ties, which had soured under his predecessor over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. The figure includes $15 billion in investments and $9 billion in soft loans that were committed during Mr. Duterte’s visit to China last year.
However, critics say the actual money hasn’t come in yet and there are fears the country will not really benefit due to issues such as corruption, lack of transparency and hidden conditions that will favor China.
Analysts also fear that Mr. Duterte is yielding the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea to China in exchange for the money.
422
Number of people—militants, soldiers and civilians—that authorities reported as having been killed in fighting between Islamist militants and government forces that began on May 23 in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur province, in Mindanao.
The fighting, which continues, has been the biggest crisis for Mr. Duterte as President. He has declared martial law in all of Mindanao, home to 20 million people, in response to the fighting. He said the militants were trying to establish a caliphate in the south for the Islamic State group. —AFP