Philippines among ‘least peaceful’ in Global Peace Index
The first batch of communist rebel leaders to be released display a hashtag during a news conference following their release on bail Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. The communist leadership are seeking the release of more than two dozen rebel leaders whom they claim are members of the negotiating panel as a precondition prior to the Aug. 20-27 peace talks with the Government in Oslo, Norway. From left are, Renante Gamara, Tirso Alcantara, Adelberto Silva, Concha Araneta-Bocala and Alan Jasminez. AP / Bullit Marquez, file
MANILA, Philippines — The latest international study that measures global peace revealed that Philippines is among the least peaceful countries in the world.
According to the 139-page Global Peace Index 2017 released this June, Philippines ranked 138th among 163 nations.
The Global Peace Index said the Philippines’ overall score has deteriorated since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June 2016.
“A bloody war against drugs and crime has been extended nationwide, and is reflected in a deterioration of the country’s Societal Safety and Security indicators,” the report said.
“The Philippines homicide rate, incarceration rate and number of deaths from internal conflict have all deteriorated. The extrajudicial killings of alleged criminals, drug mules and users has significantly increased security risks, even for ordinary citizens who could potentially get caught in the crossfire,” it added.
Duterte was criticized by human rights advocates as well as world leaders for his crackdown against illegal drugs. Human rights groups say the anti-drug campaign has about 7,000 to 9,000 deaths linked to it, a number disputed by the government.
The Duterte administration said at a "Real Numbers" forum that 1,847 homicides out of 9,432 recorded between July 2016 and March 2017 were found to be drug related. Another 5,691 were still under investigation.
'Second lowest in Asia-Pacific'
The country’s peace ranking was the second lowest in the Asia-Pacific region, beating only North Korea which ranked 150th. New Zealand was the most peaceful in the region and ranked second in the world.
The study said that the largest deteriorations occurred in Libya, Israel, Ethiopia and the Philippines. Only nine countries showed improvement.
Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region ranked third after Europe and North America in the Global Peace Index. Most countries made improvements in their overall scores.
In 2014, Philippines was the 134th most peaceful out of the 162 countries. It was then the second lowest in Southeast Asia.
The latest Global Peace Index is the eleventh edition. It ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness.
The report was produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
The Global Peace Index is the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness. The report presented the most comprehensive data-driven analysis to-date on trends in peace, its economic value, and how to develop peaceful societies.
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