Horror of the Philippines' drug war

Summary

The Manila nightshift photographers document the grim reality of the Philippines' drug war, capturing the aftermath of killings and the struggles of the families left behind. Amidst a rising death toll, they face the challenge of maintaining public interest and seeking truth in a society where the drug war remains popular despite the collateral damage. The emotional and physical toll on the photographers is palpable as they grapple with the ethical dilemma of their work and the impact on the victims' families.

Takeaways

• 🕗 The script opens at a peculiar hour and setting, just before midnight in the Manila police station press room, highlighting the unusual work conditions of the night shift photographers.
• 🔍 The photographers are depicted as having a tight-knit community, sharing tips and support amidst the grim task of documenting the ongoing drug war in the Philippines.
• 🚨 The narrative focuses on the relentless nature of the drug war, with killings continuing unabated, and the difficulty of tracking the stories of the over 7,000 victims since the previous summer.
• 🏆 Raffy Lerma is introduced as a leader among the photographers, emphasizing the personal toll and commitment to documenting the truth despite the risks.
• 😷 The script describes the modus operandi of the killers, who often mask their identities and leave signs labeling the victims as 'pusher' or 'addict', adding to the complexity of the situation.
• 🚔 It discusses the official stance of the police, who are ordered to arrest suspects rather than engage in extrajudicial killings, yet the violence continues.
• 📸 The photographers' role in seeking truth is underscored, as they scrutinize police claims and evidence at crime scenes, challenging the narratives provided by authorities.
• 🏚️ The economic hardship faced by the victims' families is highlighted, with one family resorting to gambling to raise funds for a funeral, illustrating the ripple effects of the drug war.
• 🙏 The involvement of Brother June, who doubles as a photographer and church worker, is noted for his efforts in providing both financial and legal support to affected families.
• 🗣️ The script presents contrasting views on the drug war, including those of President Duterte's legal adviser, who dismisses the killings as 'collateral damage', and the public's complex response.
• 🌆 The narrative concludes with the ongoing cycle of death and the photographers' relentless pursuit of truth, despite the emotional and psychological toll.

Q & A

What is the unusual setting where some photographers take their breaks?

The unusual setting is the press room of the Manila police station, where photographers on the night shift try to get some rest.

Who is Ravi Lerma and what role does he play in the story?

Ravi Lerma is depicted as a leader among the photographers covering the drug war in the Philippines. He is concerned about the ongoing killings and the importance of documenting them.

What is the significance of the 'snooze bar' mentioned in the script?

The 'snooze bar' is a metaphorical reference to the temporary respite the photographers get during their work, highlighting the relentless nature of the drug war and their continuous coverage.

How does the script describe the situation of the drug war in the Philippines?

The script describes the drug war as a grim and ongoing situation with thousands of people killed, including innocent victims, and a lack of accountability for the murders.

What is the term 'shabu' referred to in the script, and how is it connected to the drug war?

Shabu is a colloquial term for methamphetamine, a drug that is central to the drug war in the Philippines. It is often mentioned as being found on victims, suggesting their involvement in the drug trade.

What is the role of Brother June in the narrative?

Brother June is a photographer who also works with the church, providing support to families affected by the drug war, including raising funds for funerals and offering legal help.

Why are the families of the victims struggling to pay for funerals?

The families are struggling financially, and many resort to fundraising through gambling to cover the costs of funerals, which are a significant burden for them.

What is the significance of the overcrowded cemetery mentioned in the script?

The overcrowded cemetery symbolizes the sheer number of victims of the drug war, with many families unable to afford long-term burial plots, reflecting the social and economic impact of the conflict.

How do the photographers cope with the traumatic nature of their work?

The photographers have developed a ritual of having a meal together after a long day to process and cope with the traumatic experiences they witness.

What is the script's portrayal of the public's perception of President Duterte's drug war?

The script suggests that despite the violence and the loss of life, President Duterte's drug war remains popular among the public, with many feeling safer due to the crackdown on drugs.

How does the script end, and what does it imply about the ongoing situation?

The script ends with the photographers continuing their work, suggesting that the cycle of violence and death is ongoing, and the quest for truth and justice in the Philippines continues.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 The Grim Reality of Manila's Night Shift Photographers

This paragraph delves into the unsettling routine of night shift photographers in Manila, who document the grim aftermath of the drug war. Set against the backdrop of the Manila police station's press room, these photographers find themselves in a constant state of alert, capturing the stories of victims amidst a backdrop of violence and fear. The narrative introduces Ravi Lorma, a leader among these photographers, who grapples with the moral weight of documenting over seven thousand deaths. The paragraph also touches on the challenges of reporting in an environment where official narratives often conflict with the stark realities captured by the photographers, and where the true perpetrators behind many of these killings remain elusive.

05:02

💰 The Financial Struggles of Grieving Families Amidst the Drug War

Paragraph two shifts focus to the economic hardships faced by families of drug war victims. It tells the story of Christina, whose family must raise funds for her funeral—a common plight for many families who cannot afford the costs associated with burials. The narrative introduces Brother June, a photographer who doubles as a lifeline for these families, using his church connections to raise money for Christina's funeral. The paragraph also explores the broader implications of the drug war, including the chilling reality that many families are afraid to seek justice for their lost loved ones, fearing retribution or further violence. It also touches on the public's mixed feelings towards the drug war, with some viewing it as a necessary 'cleansing', despite the human cost.

10:02

🕯️ The Burial of Christina and the Ongoing Struggle for Justice

This paragraph continues the story of Christina's family as they finally lay her to rest in an overcrowded cemetery, a common final destination for many drug war victims. It highlights the logistical and emotional challenges faced by families during burials, including the limited time they can afford to keep their loved ones' remains in the cemetery. The narrative also returns to the experiences of the night shift photographers, emphasizing their commitment to documenting these events despite the emotional toll. The paragraph introduces a new case, that of a 16-year-old boy named RJ, whose abduction and murder further underscores the senseless violence and the摄影师s' ongoing quest for truth and justice.

15:04

🍽️ Rituals of Resilience: Coping with the Trauma of Documenting Death

The final paragraph provides a glimpse into the rituals that the night shift photographers have developed to cope with the trauma of their work. It describes a meal shared among the photographers as a form of therapy and a way to process the horrors they witness nightly. The narrative also touches on the broader implications of their work, suggesting that their documentation is crucial for keeping the public informed about the realities of the drug war. The paragraph concludes with a poignant image of the photographers preparing to face another night, emphasizing their role as witnesses to history and their commitment to seeking truth amidst the chaos.

Keywords

💡Drug War

The 'Drug War' refers to the campaign initiated by the Philippine President to eradicate illegal drugs and drug-related crimes. In the video, it is depicted as a violent and controversial initiative that has led to the deaths of thousands, including both drug users and innocent civilians. The term is central to understanding the video's theme, as it discusses the human cost and the moral dilemmas arising from this war.

💡Extrajudicial Killings

Extrajudicial killings are deaths that occur without a legal process, often at the hands of law enforcement or vigilantes. The video script mentions these killings as a common occurrence in the context of the drug war, where masked men, sometimes police and sometimes not, execute individuals suspected of drug-related activities. This concept is crucial for understanding the video's exploration of state violence and its impact on society.

💡Masked Men

The term 'masked men' is used in the script to describe individuals who carry out violent acts, including killings, often with their identities concealed. These men are portrayed as both police officers and vigilantes, blurring the lines between law enforcement and unlawful violence. Their presence in the video underscores the theme of anonymity and the lack of accountability in the drug war.

💡Pusher

A 'pusher' is a slang term for someone who sells illegal drugs. In the video, the word is used in the context of victims being labeled as such before being killed, highlighting the stigma and the dehumanization of drug users. This term is significant as it relates to the broader narrative of how drug-related crimes are perceived and addressed in the drug war.

💡Addict

An 'addict' is someone who is dependent on a substance, often drugs. The video script uses this term to describe individuals caught up in the drug war, emphasizing the human aspect of the conflict. The portrayal of addicts in the video serves to humanize those affected by the drug war and to challenge the viewer's perception of them.

💡Narco-state

A 'narco-state' is a term used to describe a country where drug cartels have significant power and influence over the government and society. The video mentions the Philippine President's promise to prevent the nation from becoming a narco-state, illustrating the urgency and the perceived threat that led to the drug war. This keyword is important for understanding the rationale behind the extreme measures taken in the drug war.

💡Collateral Damages

In the context of the video, 'collateral damages' refers to the unintended harm or casualties that occur during military or police operations. The script uses this term to describe the innocent people who have been killed in the drug war, suggesting that their deaths are seen as unfortunate but acceptable side effects. This concept is key to understanding the video's critique of the drug war's impact on civilian lives.

💡Over-Pour

The term 'over-pour' is used in the video to describe the excessive and indiscriminate nature of the killings in the drug war. It implies that the campaign has gone beyond its intended targets and is affecting a wider group of people. This keyword is significant as it reflects on the video's theme of the loss of control and the moral consequences of the drug war.

💡Shabu

Shabu, also known as methamphetamine, is a drug that is central to the drug war narrative in the Philippines. The video mentions the frequent discovery of shabu on the victims of the drug war, suggesting that it is used as evidence to justify the killings. The term is important for understanding the drug war's focus on specific drugs and its implications for the victims.

💡Grieving Families

The 'grieving families' in the video are those who have lost loved ones in the drug war. The script highlights their struggles, such as the financial burden of funeral costs and the emotional trauma of losing a family member to violence. This keyword is significant as it humanizes the consequences of the drug war and emphasizes the personal loss that is often overlooked in discussions of policy and politics.

💡Photojournalists

Photojournalists are journalists who use photography to tell stories. In the video, they are depicted as witnesses to the violence of the drug war, capturing the aftermath of killings and the reactions of the bereaved. The role of photojournalists is crucial for understanding the video's narrative, as they provide a visual record of events and bring attention to the human cost of the drug war.

Highlights

The press room of the Manila police station serves as an unusual sleeping area for photographers on the night shift.

Murders are a constant threat, and the photographers have to watch each other's backs due to the dangerous environment.

Ravi Lerma is identified as a leader among the photographers, feeling the weight of the ongoing killings.

Over seven thousand people have been killed in the Philippines drug war since the previous summer.

The Philippine president's promise to stop drug use to prevent the nation from becoming a narco-state led to a wave of killings.

Killings are often carried out by masked individuals, sometimes police, sometimes thugs, with victims labeled as pushers or addicts.

Official orders direct police to arrest suspects, but violence continues unabated.

The difficulty in tracking the real number of deaths as newspapers and official updates become less frequent.

The case of Christina, a victim whose family struggles to make ends meet and faces the harsh reality of the drug war.

Families of victims are sometimes forced to resort to gambling to raise funds for funerals.

Brother June, a photographer, doubles as a lifeline for families, raising money for funerals through his church.

The lack of legal follow-up and fear among families to pursue cases, leaving many deaths without answers.

The drug war's impact on low-level users and the poor, with a noticeable absence of drug lords as victims.

Despite the drug war, President Duterte remains wildly popular, with many citizens feeling safer.

The overcrowded cemeteries filled with drug war victims, where families lease burial compartments for a limited time.

The emotional toll on the photographers, who develop rituals to cope with the constant exposure to death.

The discovery of a 16-year-old's body, abducted and killed, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the drug war.

Families sometimes fear funeral homes extorting them, seeking the presence of photographers as a deterrent.

The importance of the photographers' role in bearing witness and potentially providing some accountability.

Transcripts

[Music]

five minutes before 12:00 midnight

it's a weird soundtrack to snooze bar

and it's a weird place to sleep

the press room of the manila police

station and the photographer's on the

night shift who need a lot more rest

than they're about to get their

[Laughter]

competitors who share tips or share cars

watch each other's backs okay they have

to because the murders keep happening

and people

it may not available

get lost it was this next victim yeah if

the pack has a leader the leader is Ravi

lerma you begin to feel that sometimes

there's no more killings in the past

week for so many days maybe this is

stopping right then this happens again

it's been hard hunting down the stories

of the more than seven thousand people

killed in the Phillipines drug war since

last summer worse he says though would

be to look away I don't want that day to

happen when everyone loses interest

you see yeah when the Philippines

president made that promise arguing his

nation could become a narco-state if

drug use isn't stopped masked man

sometimes police sometimes just thugs

started killing with abandon

murderers who suffocated their victims

by wrapping their heads in tape often

writing pusher or addict on signs left

with the bodies when corrupt cops were

exposed for some of these killings the

offensive was put on hold but it's back

official orders to police are to try to

just arrest suspects but the blood still

flows

[Music]

and it sometimes looks like this and

sounds like stunned silence a drive-by

shooting by masked men police quick to

say they happen to find a packet of

shabu or meth on the victim

Vincent go as much a regular as Raffi

he says you hear the claim often of

finding drugs maybe it's true maybe it's

not anybody ever held to account for

these murders until now no no that's the

sad thing about it do you think that the

deaths are still being counted properly

or no no I think people lost count of

the killings right now real numbers are

suddenly hard to come by newspapers that

once diligently tracked the deaths don't

seem to anymore an official updates on

cases are rare

there certainly isn't much news on a

death Vince can't shake is following up

on this night and this one is Christina

Christina had Jules death she was shot

she was slumped on the chair his photo

of the moment is hard to take

during things like this everybody seems

to be afraid to talk they should have

seen it seen everything but they refuse

to come to the media by the time he and

the other photographers got to the scene

police had already announced they'd

found traces of shabu on Christina

another man nearby was shot ten times

she was hit twice while sitting eating

watermelon her last meal and nobody's

talking so it's really hard to was the

real target it's really hard to say who

was the real target of the shooting

add the absence of answers to the

family's pain here at awake the

photographers keep an eye on a lot of

families Christina's is a real concern

like most of the grieving from the drug

war they struggled to make ends meet

which explains this in full view of the

coffin strangers mostly not really

mourners it's been gambling for days and

nights keep most of the winnings

Kristina's family gets a small cut for

many of the poorest families this is the

only way to pay for the view so here's

the really sad math on this in order to

get her body back Chrissie cos father

had to pay the funeral home up front

about $700 that's money he really didn't

have all this fundraising from the

gambling is supposed to pay for it but

the best they seem to be able to do is

about $10 a day see that interment

notice the date has been left blank

because until there's money for the

funeral the family couldn't book one and

she's already been dead a few weeks

this is where one particular

photographer is a lifeline brother June

they call it he does double duty also

working with the church he takes on a

lot doesn't go they take on a lot and

you usually see him asleep in decided

car because he has duties during the

morning in the church duties and and I

still goes out with us when brother

Joon's colleagues on the night shift

explained Cristina's case the

congregation at his church raised the

rest of the money for the funeral he's

here to deliver it now they can bury her

he's also offering legal help but the

family doesn't want they're afraid

because they don't notice the people

they don't don't what's the motivation

are they gonna file a case do you think

they want to forget everything so there

may never be answers about Christina's

death

back at the police station brother

Joon's brief chance to sleep for the

other photographers it's a moment to

really look carefully at their pictures

the closer the shot they say the bigger

the clues they always seem to find mommy

police say this man was killed because

he pulled that gun but look at the man's

wrist in Rafi's picture it looks like

Goff works it just looks unbelievable

how do you pull a gun if your hands are

cuffed seeing the photo it's hardly a

unique image in this drug war flipped

through their files in the same scenario

pops up at scene after scene and there's

a lot of blood on the hands both hands

actually both hands but look at the gun

it's clean when you look at this that

suggests what to you it raises a lot of

questions who's telling the truth this

drug war needs more understanding

lacking

pushers kill them no we are you much

look at them as humans but Raffi and

Vince and the others can't always make

people feel what they feel certainly not

those in charge

[Music]

this is Salvador Pennell president do

today's legal adviser in the middle of a

live radio interview hi there I'm Adrian

ursa no do you worry about Filipinos

waking up to see an image like that he's

seen the pictures of Cristina and the

others but isn't ready to be outraged

but no relatives will even admit that if

that woman was involved in drugs never

know where I'd meet that so we don't

know whether it's a memory of the

syndicate who did it what you hear from

them is that over-pour we're in sell but

that's not true

you don't sound terribly compassionate

to people who might be poor and innocent

I mean wise I think there may be people

who have been a pale officer in the

process in other words those are

collateral damages everything they're

shooting each other that's suddenly a

passerby in unison one poor one dies I

don't think you can blame that to the

police he speaks with the confidence of

a man who is sure president to tear day

and his drug war remain wildly popular

no matter what questions get asked

[Music]

and in the big picture he's right

it's interesting because this drug war

doesn't seem to be killing the drug

lords but low level users the poor who

live in these densely populated

neighborhoods maybe someone's killing

them to keep them quiet so you might

think these places would be full of rage

about Duterte but they're not his

popularity is overwhelming people talk a

feeling safer now even right down there

at Christina's way on the day of

Christina's funeral even the woman

cooking for the mourners talks about the

drug war as a type of cleaning house

[Music]

natural wood is it better now yeah yeah

yeah even if you are going her midnight

no people will have with you no no no

people no Harris man no I know so it's

better his his drug wars made it better

for you oh yeah yeah several weeks since

they lost her Christina's family is

finally able to bury her

where they head to is an overcrowded

Cemetery crammed now with the victims of

the drug war it's a friends

families colliding crushed for space

it's hard to eke out time for rituals

here they'll lease the burial

compartment for just five years after

that they'll have to pay yearly to keep

her body here many can't afford to

Christina's cousin Bernice can't seem to

take this all I wish that all that

killed not here because she's so funny

girl she's nice and she's kind for us it

is blazing dizzyingly hot for all the

mourners and those photographers

[Music]

when we come back they're about to

embark on a night that will rattle them

will rattle everyone careful the Manila

nightshift photographers may be used to

what they see but not everyone is

[Music]

finding the location of this next body

isn't easy Rafi is perplexed as everyone

else and really he doesn't have to be

doing this are you technically still on

leave yeah after the funeral I gave them

photos but I didn't put my name on it

his worried bosses have told him to get

off the Nightbeat but he can't shake the

feeling he has a responsibility to be a

witness even when it means a moment like

this

arriving at a scene that's hard to make

out at first there's just a tiny clump

on the ground near the garbage yeah he

was made to kneel he was made to kneel

yeah they shot in the head you said you

think he's just 16

yeah the family's over there and they

said that they were searching for him

for five days already then the brown guy

he said they heard a shot here and

that's why they found him that 16 year

old RJ so Dow had been abducted by

masked men who were really looking for

his brother his parents heard nothing

about him until this night

so now they're taking the body to the

funeral parlor and the family's gonna

follow

[Music]

all the silence of the night gone after

holding themselves so tight somehow deep

down thinking maybe it wasn't him they

suddenly caught a glimpse of his face

that funeral home it's strange those

worried parents had already been here

earlier in the day had given the manager

a photo of RJ in case his body appeared

this was him if your impulse is to think

the cameras have no business being here

consider some families beg the

photographer's to stay close think maybe

their presence their questions will stop

funeral homes from extorting victims

families as disgusting as that sounds it

happens a lot blindingly obvious thing

to say perhaps but it is a lot of death

to absorb all night almost every night

in the name of staying sane the

photographers have developed a ritual

after a long day

a meal together to close out most nights

because who can just go home without

working through all they've just seen

it's a few minutes before 5:00 a.m.

maybe this looks like nonchalance it's

not it's there every day and their

trauma sneaks in like fatigue because

many of the photojournalist we've been

covering this earth I could remember

what photographers during this scene

crime scene in the rail tracks when he

was recovering he was pardon my but he

was a he was repeating that for about 45

minutes they sat there as much about

therapy as that needed meal brother Jun

is in a hurry there are already families

waiting for him at the church Vince had

to skip the meal altogether his commute

is just too long the street sweepers are

already out usually they're the last

ones to spot the bodies from the night

before and send in tips but if they're

out thank you no one has heard anything

then it's over for all of them for a few

hours anyway if the world is to get the

truth about death and the Philippines

now it will get it from that

the manila morning rush-hour is right on

schedule time to move to get ahead of

the living in the name of chasing the

death

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