Rodrigo Duterte's War on Drugs in the Philippines - Summary

Overview

• Initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 after his election.
• Characterized as a "bloody campaign".
• Alleged extrajudicial killings of approximately 30,000 civilians, primarily targeting poor urban male populations.

Execution and Claims

• Victims were often killed in streets or homes by police or unidentified assailants.
• Authorities claimed self-defense, but evidence suggests police may have planted drugs and weapons on victims.
• Witnesses and evidence showed victims were often unarmed, with wounds contradicting defense claims (e.g., shot multiple times, in the back or head).

International Reaction and Legal Consequences

• Duterte faces investigation by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity due to alleged personal encouragement and incentivization of killings.

Duterte’s Approach and Statements

• Publicly advocated for killing suspected drug dealers and urged the public to kill addicts.
• Despite international criticism, remained committed, stating many would die until "the last pusher is out of the streets".

Allegations of Incentives

• Reports in parliamentary committee suggested Duterte’s office paid police up to 1 million pesos per killing, depending on the target.
• Duterte denied these payments or authorizing extrajudicial killings but admitted maintaining a death squad while he was a mayor.

Current Status

• Duterte took full legal responsibility for the crackdown in a Senate hearing.

Related Topics

• Examination of the social and political impacts of Duterte's campaign.
• Analysis of human rights abuses and international law implications.