Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently reported that the Philippines continues to engage in extrajudicial killings as part of its anti-drug campaign. The organization highlighted that these operations frequently occur without appropriate accountability, resulting in significant human rights violations. Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, the death toll in these operations has reached 1,273. While this marks a decline from the numbers recorded under former President Rodrigo Duterte, the situation remains grave with an increase in illegal arrests. Further details can be found in the report from HRW.
The report underscores that accountability mechanisms remain insufficient, a problem exacerbated by recent police practices. Officers conducting raids allegedly dress in civilian clothes, and masked gunmen are involved in the killings, complicating documentation and investigation of these incidents. Victims’ families have reported harassment, and some have claimed that their relatives were tortured during arrests before disappearing.
Calls for a shift to a more human rights-based approach have been reiterated by HRW, urging the government to end these practices and prosecute drug dealers through legal and rights-respecting means. The international community, including organizations like Amnesty International, has long criticized the Philippines’ anti-drug strategies, especially during Duterte’s tenure when extrajudicial killings surged dramatically.
Duterte himself faces charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity related to his aggressive drug policies. His trial, addressing charges of murder, torture, and rape, is scheduled for November 30. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who was instrumental in Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign, also faces similar charges. His efforts to prevent the enforcement of an ICC arrest warrant were recently thwarted when the Supreme Court denied his request. This situation has been covered extensively by media outlets, including The Guardian.
Despite pledges from President Marcos to adopt a more comprehensive, less punitive approach to narcotics policy, challenges remain. In 2024, India hosted the Drug Policy and Law Reform Summit, aimed at reforming drug policy and national laws, illustrating a potential shift in strategy. However, organizations persist in urging Marcos to dismantle remnants of Duterte’s war on drugs and ensure accountability for human rights abuses committed during these campaigns.
As the Marcos administration struggles to balance reform with enforcement, the international legal and human rights communities will closely monitor the actions taken by the Philippines to address and rectify ongoing human rights concerns related to its anti-drug campaign.