Some People Need Killing

Some People Need Killing (2023) is a detailed and empathetic chronicle of the Philippines’ drug war between 2016 and 2022. It records the murders perpetrated by police and vigilantes during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Delving into the lives of both perpetrators and victims, Evangelista captures the climate of fear created by a government that believed that “some people need killing.”

• Readers interested in investigative journalism and human rights issues
• Fans of narrative nonfiction with a focus on social justice
• People seeking in-depth analysis of the Philippine drug war

Patricia Chanco Evangelista is a Filipina journalist and documentary filmmaker. Her work covers topics related to conflict, disaster, and human rights. She serves as a multimedia reporter for the online news outlet Rappler and contributes as a writer-at-large for Esquire magazine. Some People Need Killing is her first book.