Next to NoKor, PHL ranks 2nd least peaceful country in Asia Pacific region

Beaten only by North Korea, the Philippines ranked as the second least peaceful nation in the Asia-Pacific region in 2017 due to President Rodrigo Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs and criminality.

"The Philippines’ overall score has deteriorated since new president Rodrigo Duterte took office in June 2016," the Global Peace Index report said.

Myanmar, China, and Thailand completed the Top Five least peaceful countries.

The report attributed the Philippines' deterioration in the Societal Safety and Security indicators to the "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 report said.

"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.

New Zealand, on the other hand, was named the most peaceful in the region followed by Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia in the report organized by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Meanwhile, the Philippines ranked 138th in the global state of peace behind India, Eritrea, Chad, and Ethiopia.

The Philippines ranked 139th in the 2016 report due to heightened tensions in the South China Sea caused by the territorial dispute with China and Vietnam.

Iceland maintained its spot as the most peaceful nation in the report and was joined by New Zealand, Portugal, Austria, and Denmark in the top five.

The least peaceful nations were conflict-stricken Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, and Yemen.

Government reports said a total of 3,050 drug suspects have been killed out of more than 60,000 police anti-drug operations from July 1, 2016 to May 30, 2017.

More than 1.2 million drug suspects likewise surrendered to the government, while 80,415 have been arrested. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/MDM, GMA News