Philippines second least peaceful nation in Asia-Pacific

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines remains among the least peaceful countries in the world, according to an annual peace index.

The 2017 Global Peace Index ranked the Philippines 138th among 163 nations included in the report.

The country’s peace ranking was the second lowest in the Asia-Pacific region, beating only North Korea which ranked 150th.

New Zealand was rated the most peaceful in the Asia-Pacific and ranked second in the world.

The report, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, showed that the Philippines’ scores in the Societal Safety and Security indicators deteriorated under the Duterte administration. This was attributed by the report to “a bloody war against drugs and crime (that) has been extended nationwide.”

“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 have significantly increased security risks, even for ordinary citizens who could potentially get caught in the crossfire,” it said.

Reports said more than 7,000 people have died since President Duterte launched his administration’s drug war in July last year.

In 2014, the Philippines ranked 134th most peaceful out of 162 countries. It was also the second lowest in Southeast Asia.

It ranked 139th last year. According to the report, the five most peaceful countries are Iceland, Hungary, Slovenia, Bhutan and Portugal.

The five least peaceful countries, on the other hand, are Israel, Russia, North Korea, Syria and the US.

Published every year since 2008, the index ranks 163 independent states and territories by their level of peacefulness.