UN launches investigation into Philippines drug war deaths

The government crackdown on narcotics has left 5,300 people dead while retaining the strong support of many Filipinos. (AP)

• The resolution has faced strong pushback from President Rodrigo Duterte’s government
• Spokesman Salvador Panelo described the resolution as the ‘latest demonization attempt against the president’

GENEVA: The United Nations Human Rights Council agreed on Thursday to set up a preliminary UN investigation into thousands of killings in the Philippines so-called ‘war on drugs.’

The resolution, brought by Iceland, was adopted by a vote of 18 countries in favor, 14 against (including China), with 15 abstentions (including Japan) at the 47-member forum in Geneva.

The Philippines delegation urged countries to vote against the text which asks UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to report back on her findings in June 2020.