The mayor of the Philippine city of Davao, Sebastian Duterte, has reignited the contentious ‘war on drugs’, igniting concerns from prominent humanitarian watchdog and advocacy group, Human Rights Watch (HRW). HRW reported a brutal acceleration in drug-related deaths following Duterte’s announcement. Within 24 hours, local authorities were reported to have contributed to the death of at least five people, while an additional seven fatalities occurred in the subsequent days.
Duterte announced the renewed aggression towards drug use and narcotic-related offenses in late March to city police. His remarks included a harsh warning to drug users and traffickers, insinuating that death could be the consequence for those unwilling to end participation in the drug trade.
The adoption of such measures, especially considering the swift and severe implementation in Davao Del Sur, is believed to be resultant of the perceived ineffectiveness of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s efforts to curb drug-related violence. In direct contradiction of international human rights law, these stringent actions have amplified violence and incited further human rights concerns.
Since Duterte’s inauguration in June 2022, Davao del Sur has recognized the highest frequency of drug-related homicides in comparison to other regions in the Philippines. The city confirmed 53 out of a total of 342 recorded murders were drug-related between July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Additional figures report a subsequent 97 people died from drug-related incidents in Davao City, most of which were executed by police and anti-drug agents. HRW has labeled these recent killings as a mere increase in the ongoing, seemingly ceaseless drug war.
Historical patterns of violence suggest that the current trend is not unprecedented. HRW reported on the 2009 ‘Davao Death Squad’, a covert group suspected of initiating several extrajudicial killings during Rodrigo Duterte’s time as mayor of Davao City. When Duterte Sr. ascended to the presidency in 2016, his term became synonymous with large-scale drug raids and operations, leading to numerous deaths predominantly among impoverished drug users and minor dealers. Now, Duterte Jr. faces accusations of reigniting his father’s controversial, abusive war on drugs.
Amidst these concerns, the International Criminal Court (ICC) stands as an international reckoning force. A complaint was filed in 2017 against then President Duterte by Filipino lawyer Jude Sabio. The legal challenge asserts Duterte Sr. of authorizing extrajudicial killings during the war on drugs and implications of crimes against humanity. Even as Duterte Sr. maintains his innocence, the ICC continues to investigate the allegations of crimes against humanity in the Philippines.
The Philippines’ renewed war on drugs raises stark existential questions about the number of lives it will claim, the breaches of human rights it involves, and the ultimate efficacy of the crackdown. Legal professionals and human rights advocates eminent across the globe continue to monitor this developing situation with heightened concern and appeals for restraint and justice.