PCIJ websites hacked after posting news on Duterte’s war on drugs, rights advisories

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) on Friday said its websites have been attacked, following its reports on the Duterte administration's drive against illegal drugs.

In a statement, PCIJ executive director Malou Mangahas said: "There has been an attack on our web sites, www.pcij.org and www.pcij.org/blog. This is the reason why our sites are not accessible at this time."

"The attack follows the publication of PCIJ reports on the drug war of the Duterte administration, and our 'Know Your Rights' advisories for citizens," she added.

In one of its reports earlier this month, the group cited data from the Philippine National Police, saying that 10 drug suspects are killed every day since President Rodrigo Duterte took office.

The report said 135 drug suspects have been killed from July 1 to 13 alone.

A separate report noted that 192 were killed in the "drug war" from May 10 to July 10, or the span of nine weeks, citing data from the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management.

This report also said 8,110 persons have been arrested, with 3,0001 cases "referred" and 3,477 cases "filed in court." A total of 35,276 persons have "surrendered" to authorities.

The PCIJ had noted in its report that getting the numbers right on the drive against illegal drugs "is hampered in large measure by the fractious but parallel agencies assigned to operations and case monitoring."

In another report, the PCIJ noted that the "big kill" in the drug war has involved mostly the small fry, and that the police operations may be defying rules and protocols. —NB, GMA News