Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista Summary

Some People Need Killing is a memoir and investigative report on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal anti-drug campaign, documenting state-sanctioned killings and vigilante violence from 2016-2022. Patricia Evangelista, a trauma journalist, immerses readers in the psychological and societal impact of extrajudicial murders, chronicling survivors’ stories and perpetrators’ twisted justifications. The title引用s a vigilante’s chilling rationale: “I’m not all bad. Some people need killing.”

This book is essential for readers interested in human rights, Southeast Asian politics, or investigative journalism. It appeals to true crime enthusiasts seeking gritty, real-world accounts and scholars studying authoritarianism’s erosion of democracy. The graphic content and ethical questions make it suited for mature audiences grappling with moral ambiguities in governance.

Yes—it’s a critically acclaimed “journalistic masterpiece” (The New Yorker) and one of TIME’s top nonfiction books of 2023. Its unflinching examination of state violence, combined with Evangelista’s lyrical prose, offers profound insights into fear, complicity, and resistance under tyranny.

The title引用s a vigilante’s defense of his actions during Duterte’s drug war, reflecting widespread desensitization to violence. This mantra rationalized murder as public service, exposing how dehumanizing rhetoric enabled ordinary citizens to justify atrocities.

As a trauma journalist and Rappler reporter, Evangelista spent six years embedding with killers, survivors, and activists. Her Pulitzer Center-supported investigations and awards like the Kate Webb Prize ground the narrative in rigor and empathy, blending reportage with intimate storytelling.

While praised for its bravery, some note the unrelenting brutality may overwhelm readers. Others highlight its narrow focus on Manila-centric accounts, though this intentional choice amplifies systemic patterns over isolated incidents.

Evangelista traces Duterte’s populist appeal to public frustration with crime and corruption, juxtaposing his “strongman” image with the human cost of his policies. She analyzes how media manipulation and disinformation fueled acceptance of state-sanctioned murder.

The book揭露s collusion between police and vigilante groups, who often carried out executions to bypass legal scrutiny. Evangelista documents how economic desperation and ideological indoctrination turned civilians into ruthless actors.

Through haunting interviews with victims’ families, Evangelista explores grief, guilt, and resilience. A mother’s account of bribing police to retrieve her son’s body exemplifies the erosion of trust in institutions.

The narrative connects Duterte’s policies to colonial legacies, poverty, and the Catholic Church’s influence. Evangelista argues the drug war exploited existing societal fractures to consolidate authoritarian control.

Evangelista employs novelistic pacing and vivid metaphors—describing bloodstains as “rosary beads”—to humanize statistics. This approach bridges investigative rigor with emotional resonance, immersing readers in survivors’ lived experiences.

As global authoritarianism surges, the book serves as a cautionary tale about dehumanizing rhetoric and the dangers of trading civil liberties for false security. Its lessons resonate with contemporary struggles for democracy worldwide.