UN conducts probe of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines

The United Nations will be sending an official to the Philippines to conduct a probe on the spike of extra-judicial killings in the country.

According to this article, "Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission for Human Rights, will conduct the probe from February 12 to 21."

"More than 800 people have become victims of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines since 2001, most of whom were leftist activists. Other victims were human rights workers, labour and peasant leaders, as well as journalists," the article added.

According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, there have been 61 journalists and media practitioners killed in the line of duty since democracy was restored in 1986. Half of these killings happened during Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's watch.