War Against Drugs

War Against Drugs

by Gladys Seracarpio

Research Question: Is the war on drugs President Duterte is imposing effective in our country?

Problem Statement: Philippines is facing a large number of drug case for the past years. The administrations before President Duterte is not putting on too much attention to these problems. And for years, the users and pushers are rapidly increasing in number. Now, Philippines has a new President. Under the administration of President Duterte, he stated that he will be imposing a war against illegal drugs. They will break a sweat for it-- it will be bloody. But the question is, how far will his go and how can it be helpful to the Philippines given the oppositions? What kind of strategies will the government use? How would they face the human rights advocates and the countries which questions the steps taken by our President?

Introduction: War against drugs is the new campaign under the administration of President Duterte. This campaign aims to prevent the spreading of illegal drugs in the country. They imprisoned the drugs users and pushers. They even shoot and kill those people who are fighting back when they are having their raids.

Body: In the website aljazeera.com, since Rodrigo Duterte took office on June 30, there have been 6,095 people killed in the war on drugs (as of December 14), according to the police report cited by the Manila-based news website Rappler.

That’s an average of 1,015 people killed in a month.

Of the total death toll, 2,012 were killed in police operations, while 3,993 were killed by unknown suspects.

“There will be no let-up in this campaign. Double your efforts. Triple them, if need be. We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier and the last pusher have surrendered or put behind bars or below the ground if they so wish,” the president said in his first state of the nation address last July 25, 2016.

“Oplan Tokhang” (Toktok Hangyo), is a Visayan word which means to approach and talk. It aimed to personally talk to those involved in illegal drugs convincing them to stop and surrender to authorities for investigation. Verification and rehabilitation seems to be effective for more and more suspected drug users and pushers are turning themselves to the police.

Since the said program gives chance to suspected individuals involved in illegal drugs to change themselves and become once again a good citizen, arrests and killings can be avoided in case they put a fight with the authorities in the future.

According to Regional Jaime Umpa, the said campaign may greatly reduce the number of drug-related cases that reach Office of Regional Prosecutor in Northern Mindanao.

In a statement given by the two UN special rapporteurs, they remind the Philippines that they need to ensure the safety of everybody whether suspected crimes or not. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo challenged them to come to the Philippines and see the situation for themselves.

President Duterte asked human rights advocates who are doubtful in this campaign to come to the Philippines promising to pay all their expenses including their toilet paper.

He also said that while he is trying to solve this big problem, the critics are doing nothing but talk.

“I will fund you. I will pay (for everything). I will even buy you your toilet paper,” Duterte said in a late night press conference in Davao City.

“Is there anybody among you, human rights advocates who are counting the dead soldiers and policemen?” the president said.

He defended law enforcers anew from allegations that they are behind the killing of suspected pushers and users.

“Some of those who died were placed inside sacks or plastics. The police, I assure you,would not waste their time on that,” the president said.

“You might as well include everyone in the funeral parlor, even those who died of cancer or diabetes because you blame all deaths on us,” he added.

“The accusation itself is stupid.”

“Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But

human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country-- your country and my country,” he added.

“There can never be real, tangible and felt development without making our people feel secure and it is our duty to uplift the people’s welfare,” Duterte said.

Conclusion: Therefore I conclude that war against drugs Duterte is imposing is helpful to our country. Yes, there are many contradictions but the courage and braveness of our president is standing out. There may be nations threatening to pull out their support from us but I believe that this is all for the own good of our nation. It’s time for the Philippines to be independent and somehow standout to other countries. We can do many new things. All we need to do is try this new governance of our President and believe that it will all get better. Let us pray for the best!