It’s certainly not making big headlines these days, but the Philippines drug war is still very much happening, and the results are devastating. It all began when the current president, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, known for his no-tolerance policies against criminals, issued a statement about exactly what he’d do with individuals associated with a drug addiction, or those who dealt drugs. He has asked, “Please feel free to call us, the police, or do it yourself if you have the gun, you have my support. Shoot [druggies] and I’ll give you a medal.” And while some citizens supported his sentiments, some never quite believed whether they were literal or not.
For those who were familiar with Duterte’s policies as mayor, some tended to praise his ability to clean up the streets, and trusted he would be good at it as president. Crackdowns on youth drinking in areas not permitted by local ordinance weren’t uncommon and generally accepted. No one dared question his methods, only now, any citizen has been given free reign to ‘take care’ of the drug problem on their own, with no consequence. Duterte’s emphatic order has now claimed the lives of 6,000 victims, and the deaths will likely not cease anytime soon. Of course, no one dares testify against him in court, for fear of death.
These executions are all very similar—usually a motorcyclist assailant and gunfire, well-known as the “Davao death squads.” The majority of attacks seem to occur in impoverished neighborhoods, but these attackers don’t seem to discriminate. Anyone involved in drug use is targeted, whether a user or a dealer. And yet, the president still enjoys unprecedented 91% approval ratings. Other parts of his campaign have contributed to his popularity, such as a relatively progressive agenda—including LGBT and environmental protections—so he has been expected to improve the agenda for a spectrum of people across the country.
Yet, his words have managed to kill thousands on the basis of drug addiction alone—whether one’s at fault for distributing drugs, or crippled by addiction.
