Filipinos speak out about Duterte’s war on drugs

Police officer Ronaldo David, 49, speaks during a drug awareness seminar for school children in Pasay city, Metro Manila, Philippines. "My load in filing cases in the office has been reduced. I am now more focused on educating people and in prevention," he said.

Felicidad Magdayao, 59, owner of a fast-food restaurant serves customers in Manila, Philippines. "Our business has really suffered. People are afraid to go out. At dawn we only have few customers. At least, there are fewer drug addicts and drug pushers," she said.

Kimee Enciso (L), 21, student and Blanchi Marasigan pose for a photograph at a shopping mall in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines. "When it comes to him being too tough, I think it is just right. He’s our leader and he’s only doing it for our sake," Enciso said.

Cristine Angelie Garcia (C), 24, rides a jeepney on her way to work at a call centre for the midnight shift in Taguig city, Metro Manila. "Maybe there is another way where people do not need to die," she said, adding she felt safer walking the streets at night. "I'm on Duterte's side. Maybe he's just misunderstood because he grew up on the streets."

Orly Fernandez, 64, operational manager at Eusebio Funeral Services poses for a photograph next to empty coffins in Navotas city, Metro Manila, Philippines. Fernandez lives in the funeral parlour. "Before maybe we picked up one body per day, now we get around two or three bodies a day," he said.

Sandro Gabriel Jr, 34, grave digger at Pasay Public Cemetery, digs a grave in Pasay city, Metro Manila , Philippines. "A lot of people who have been shot have been buried here. More than 40 people have recently been buried here," he said. "...I am not saying Duterte should keep killing people. But for us, we will keep working as long as there is work.

Marianito Navarra, 54, village watchman patrols a street in Pasay city, Metro Manila, Philippines. "I pity the families of those who are killed, especially those who really had nothing to do with crime. There have been a lot of people who were killed that weren’t really involved with drugs. They should just arrest them," he said.

Jose Cecilia Jr., 51, poses for a photograph in front of trucks at a trucking company he owns in Santa Rosa, Laguna, south of Manila, Philippines. "I give one hundred percent for Duterte. He's the only president who is fighting the drug lords and other syndicates in our country," he said.

Former drug addict and now Catholic priest Bobby Dela Cruz, 54, holds a mass at Santo Nino church in Manila, Philippines. "These people (drug addicts) are fighting for their lives. They need our help. We must help these people," he said.

Weng Ruda, 36, mother of three walks her daughter to school at a slum area in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines. "I like that he is very tough. There are no children loitering around now. They also avoid picking up bad habits," she said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte completes six months of his presidency, with the rising death toll from his war on drugs showing no sign of easing. On the streets of Manila, residents from a variety of professions gave their thoughts.

Photography by Ezra Acayan for Reuters