Albayalde questions basis of US-based group saying PHL one of the most dangerous countries for civilians

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Monday questioned the basis of a US-based group report saying the Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries for civilians.

"I think that is unfounded. Hindi siguro... that cannot be covered by data. I don't how they were able to say that. What's their basis of saying that? I really don't know kung ano basehan nila," Albayalde said at a press briefing.

"Sabi ko nga, I challenge these people na kung sino 'yung mga nagsasalita, they're probably basing 'yung sinasabi nila base lang doon sa naninira lang din na unfortunately mga kapwa nating Pilipino," he added.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) recently stated that the Philippines has remained as one of the most dangerous places in the world for civilians because violence against them has continued.

According to ACLED, "a wave of targeted attacks has resulted in the reported deaths of nearly 490 civilians since the start of the year."

The group even claimed that the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs has accounted for almost 75% of this year’s civilian deaths while former and current government officials account for approximately 18 percent of reported fatalities.

According to its website, ACLED, established in 2014, is "the highest quality, most widely used, real-time data and analysis source on political violence and protest around the world." — RSJ, GMA News