Some People Need Killing

More about the book

A fearless, powerfully written account of a nation descending into violent autocracy, this work presents harrowing stories of state-sanctioned killings in the Philippines, penned by an internationally renowned journalist. Patricia Evangelista, who grew up in the aftermath of a street revolution, reflects on the fragility of democracy under Rodrigo Duterte's regime. For six years, she meticulously reported on the drug war, documenting the killings by police and vigilantes that claimed thousands of lives. Immersing herself in the lives of both killers and survivors, she captures the pervasive atmosphere of fear that arises when an elected leader devalues certain lives. The title reflects a vigilante’s chilling justification: “I’m really not a bad guy. Some people need killing.” This profound act of witness serves as a tour de force of literary journalism, dissecting the grammar of violence while investigating the human impulses to dominate and resist.