The Philippines' 'war on drugs': What will change after Duterte? | DW News

Summary

The transcript discusses the contentious 'war on drugs' under former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, which reportedly led to thousands of deaths. Officially, over 6,000 were killed in anti-drug operations, but human rights groups contest these numbers and the operations' legitimacy. The International Criminal Court has initiated an investigation. Some Filipinos are conducting their own probes, uncovering falsified death certificates and suggesting a much higher death toll. The poor were particularly affected, with families enduring loss and seeking justice. Despite Duterte's departure, concerns persist about ongoing violence and a culture of impunity.

Takeaways

• 😢 The so-called 'war on drugs' under former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is reported to have resulted in thousands of deaths, with the government claiming around 6,000 were in legitimate anti-drug operations.
• 🚨 Human rights groups dispute both the legitimacy of these operations and the reported death toll, suggesting the actual number of victims is much higher.
• 🔍 The International Criminal Court has opened an investigation into the drug war, reflecting global concern over the situation.
• 🦴 Forensic pathologist Raquel Fortune discovered falsified death certificates in seven out of 47 cases, indicating a deliberate effort to conceal the true cause of deaths.
• 🔮 The flawed procedures for investigating deaths in the Philippines were exacerbated by Duterte's policies, leading to an escalation in killings post-2016.
• 🏙️ The poor were disproportionately targeted, with hitmen often planting evidence of drug abuse after carrying out extrajudicial killings.
• 🏛️ The International Criminal Court estimates that up to 30,000 people were killed during Duterte's tenure, a figure significantly higher than the official count.
• 🙏 Families of victims are seeking justice and truth, with some, like Catholic priest Referent Flaviano Villanueva, providing support through exhumations and legal advice.
• 🔒 Despite Duterte's departure, there are concerns that the culture of violence and impunity continues, with recent killings suggesting the issue is not resolved.
• 📉 The war on drugs is considered a failure by many, as it left families broken and orphaned, while drugs reportedly became cheaper and more accessible.

Q & A

How many people did the Philippine government claim were killed in legitimate anti-drug operations during Rodrigo Duterte's tenure?

The Philippine government claimed that a little over 6,000 people were killed in legitimate anti-drug operations.

What is the discrepancy between the government's claim and human rights groups regarding the number of people killed in the war on drugs?

Human rights groups dispute both the legitimacy of the operations and the number of those killed, suggesting that the true toll is much higher than the government's claim.

What action did the International Criminal Court take in response to the situation in the Philippines?

The International Criminal Court opened an investigation into the war on drugs due to the concerns raised by the number of deaths and the legitimacy of the operations.

What shocking discovery did forensic pathologist Raquel Fortune make while examining the remains of some of the people who died?

In seven out of 47 cases, Raquel Fortune found that the death certificates were false, listing natural causes of death when people had actually been shot.

How has the war on drugs affected the safety of citizens in the Philippines, according to the script?

The script suggests that it's not safe to walk around because someone could be shot, and the police are not taking action due to uncertainty about how to proceed.

What kind of scenario have many families in the Philippines experienced, as described in the script?

Many families have experienced hitmen approaching at night to shoot a loved one, followed by evidence of drug abuse being planted.

What does the International Criminal Court estimate the number of people killed during Duterte's war on drugs to be?

The International Criminal Court estimates that up to thirty thousand people, more than four times the official number, were killed during Duterte's war on drugs.

What is the role of Catholic priest Referent Flaviano Villanueva in supporting the families affected by the war on drugs?

Referent Flaviano Villanueva supports the families by paying for exhumations and providing legal advice, fearing that the killings are far from over.

What is the current state of the drug problem in the Philippines according to Dr. Fortune?

Dr. Fortune believes that the drugs continue to be a problem, and in fact, they are cheaper these days, indicating that the war on drugs has been a failure.

What challenges does journalist Anna Santos highlight regarding the pursuit of justice in the Philippines post-Duterte administration?

Anna Santos highlights that justice will be very difficult due to the current political climate, with President Marcos Jr and Vice President Sarah Duterte seen as continuity candidates, and law enforcement expressing satisfaction with the previous administration's war on drugs policy.

Why was it easy to falsify deaths in the Philippines during the war on drugs, as explained by Anna Santos?

Anna Santos explains that it was easy to falsify deaths because the war on drugs targeted poor young men living in marginalized communities. Families, fearing for their safety and lacking resources for proper autopsies, would often sign off on medical certificates that listed natural causes of death to claim the bodies of their loved ones.