In 2016, it was reported by the Philippine National Police that approximately 3,600 individuals had been slain as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal drug operations; nearly half of them were killed by suspected vigilantly groups influenced by President Rodrigo Duterte's words: "Do it yourselves. If you have guns, you have my support." While PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa has cited a 90% drop in drug supply, the overwhelming amount of deaths and incarceration, as well as the inhumane treatment of those prisoners, has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights advocates.
Here, photographer Shaun Swingler takes a firsthand look inside the brutal reality of the Philippines' war on drugs:
The scene where an unidentified drug user was killed by police in a suspected "buy-and-bust" operation in Caloocan on Sept. 22, 2016.
Relatives of an identified man killed by police in a suspected "buy-and-bust" operation mourn as his body is removed from the scene.
One of three alleged drug suspects killed by police during "Oplan Tokhang" (knock and plead operation) in Sitio San Roque, Quezon City, on Sept. 14. The men allegedly fired on police and were killed after police returned fire. Handguns were found on scene, as well as two hand grenades and sachets of shabu (methamphetamine).
Men carry the body of suspected drug dealer Amirudin Sani, age 27, who was killed by three unidentified men in Pasig City, Metro Manila, on Sept. 13.
A relative of an identified man killed by police in a suspected "buy-and-bust" operation sweeps away his blood after his body is removed from the scene on September 22.
Undertakers transport the body of an alleged drug suspect who was killed by police in Sitio San Roque, Quezon City, on Sept. 14.
Adonis Dela Rosa's coffin is transported to Manila North Cemetery for burial on Sept. 13. Police allege that Dela Rosa, whom they killed during a "buy-and-bust" operation, was a hit man, but his wife strongly denies the claim.
Relatives gather before Adonis Dela Rosa's entombment.
A cemetery worker prepares the tomb for Adonis Dela Rosa.
Police officers conduct Oplan Tokhang in Payatas, Quezon City, on Sept. 16.
Officers process the scene where three alleged drug suspects were killed by police in a "buy-and-bust" operation in Maypajo, Caloocan City, on Sept. 30.
Police officers pat down a suspect during Oplan Tokhang in Payatas, Quezon City.
Suspected drug users are processed at the Quezon City Police Department on Sept.16. Two police operations in Culiat, Quezon City, that evening led to the arrest of 145 drug suspects, the largest arrest so far in the drug war.
Quezon City Jail, built to house 400 inmates, held 3,669 inmates on Sept. 11, 2016.
The prison population has drastically increased since the war on drugs was announced, with 62% of inmates incarcerated for drug cases.
The jail has a planned "decongestion" strategy, but prison officials admit progress is slow.
Men who were arrested during drug busts in Culiat, Quezon City, are placed in police holding cells to wait for the results from their urine drug tests taken two nights earlier.
Quezon City Jail on Sept. 16.
