It is of common knowledge that at least 7,000 people have been killed thus far in the government’s war on drugs, launched after PDu30 took office eight months ago.
International and local human rights groups and the UN have expressed grave concerns about the prospect that the State was making good on its promise to “destroy those engaged in the drug trade”.
It was also reported that on Feb.27, Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay Jr. told the 47-member UN Human Rights Council’s main annual session in Geneva: “Manila would destroy criminals in defiant defense of President Duterte’s drug war. There can be no middle ground for the well-being of our people. We will not be kind.”
He said during the opening ceremonies, ”We will not hesitate to destroy criminals who seek the wholesale destruction of our society,” he added.
”It is lamentable that international observers are more focused on the so-called human rights of criminals, but have done nothing to help in eliminating the drug problem that has grown to pandemic proportions,” Yasay said.
On the local scene, critics have failed to dampen the President’s domestic approval, partly due to a “culture of political impunity” in the Philippines.
Many political leaders, the rich and influential, have survived criminal charges, and they see Duterte as just another player in the political arena (albeit one who uses his “skills” for good).
For example, former President Estrada was pardoned by his successor (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) from his life sentence in prison for poaching $80 million. He now lives comfortably as mayor of Manila, with many of his family members in political positions of power.
Another example is Cong. Romeo Jalosjos who won re-election twice — even from behind bars in a maximum security prison for raping an 11-year-old girl.
Similarly, former President Arroyo was re-elected to Congress while under house arrest for corruption charges, and now her corruption case has been dismissed. GMA has since then been named deputy speaker of Congress.
Meanwhile, the Marcoses remain on the favored side of Duterte.
Supporters hail the new policies as “necessary change” to win the war on crimes and drugs. Many human rights groups have condemned his use of violence and his violation of basic human rights.
Without due process, the most popular targets may not necessarily be those who are guilty, but those with dissenting orientations and beliefs, as is often the case in history.
The UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard noted that “intentional lethal use of force is only allowed when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life, and should not be used for common policing objectives.”
The investigators argue that Duterte’s actions violate international laws that require states to protect the right to life and security of everyone in the country regardless of suspected criminal offense.
It is reported that after suspending the implementation of Operation TokHang due to police abuses, the Philippine National Police may actually resume its anti-drug campaign.
The question to many: At what cost? At the cost of mob justice and human rights violations?
But for Duterte, only success on his war on drugs matters. Challenging his critics, he dares them: “If I fail, kill me!”
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
