AN international group of “progressive” parties and world leaders has warned against a “rising tide” of violence and death in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte, and called on the United Nations to investigate. “[T]he government’s current anti-drugs campaign manifests as a violent witch hunt that primarily victimizes poor people unable to afford legal defense [for themselves],” it added. The group urged the global community to pay attention to the developments in the “fragile and contested democracy” in the Philippines. ‘Don’t threaten martial law’The group urged Duterte not to threaten the public that he would declare martial law to solve the problems in the country, most especially in Mindanao. “[We dare] President Duterte to desist from baiting the public with dictatorship and Martial Law as solutions to the country’s problems,” it said.

Source: Manila Times March 15, 2017 16:18 UTC