If they resist, kill them all": police vigilantism in the Philippines (original) (raw)

This report examines the significant issue of extrajudicial police vigilantism in the Philippines, particularly highlighting the phenomenon of on-duty police officers engaging in killings that are framed as 'legitimate encounters' with criminals. It contextualizes this issue within the political climate initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, which has seen a dramatic escalation in drug-related killings. The study provides quantitative data on the patterns of police killings across various regions and includes comparative analysis with other countries experiencing similar police violence. Furthermore, it discusses the historical evolution of policing and vigilante practices in the Philippines, revealing the underlying dynamics that have contributed to the current state of police violence.