Impunity and Death Under a Duterte Presidency

In less than six months after becoming president, the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte has gained global notoriety for launching a bloody “war on drugs.” But actually, and frighteningly for Filipinos, this is only one facet of Duterte’s blatant disregard for human rights.

For Filipino activists, Duterte’s deadly legacy was made evident a few days before the celebration of the International Human Rights Day on December 10.

First, a bill restoring the death penalty was approved by a congressional committee on December 6. This bill is part of the priority agenda of the Duterte government. Second, a Reuters investigative report found that the anti-drug operations of the Philippine police have a kill rate of 97 percent, which is one of the highest in the world. And finally, Duterte appointed Army chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Año is tagged by activists as a human rights violator responsible for the kidnapping of activists and the violent displacement of indigenous peoples in rural areas.

Thus, it is not surprising why many groups from all sides of the political spectrum have banded together in condemning the deterioration of the country’s human rights situation. The reaction of some administration officials has been to dismiss these criticisms as part of a plot to remove Duterte from power. Indeed, some of the critics are affiliated with the previous government but it must be emphasized that not all are conspiring against Duterte.

For example, former President Gloria Arroyo has publicly stated her opposition to the revival of the death penalty. She quickly clarified, however, that she continues to be a close ally of Duterte and she is merely expressing her personal conviction.

Like Arroyo, many groups have voiced their opposition to the planned revival of the death penalty in particular. They warn that this will unjustly affect the poor, aside from reversing the government’s previous commitment to uphold the sanctity of life. They also insist that there’s no empirical proof about the supposed effectiveness of the death penalty in deterring criminality.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s decision to appoint a controversial army official in the AFP has also displeased his allies from the left.

Even before Año’s appointment, leftist groups have complained about the continuing militarization in several provinces, especially near mining and plantation sites. They describe the deployment of troops as a violation of the government’s ceasefire declaration in areas where communist rebels are believed to be operating.

With Año at the helm of the AFP, activists are worried that it could embolden some soldiers to commit more abuses against civilians suspected of being communist sympathizers.

Año’s appointment could also affect the ongoing peace talks with the communists. Some believe that Año represents the hardline faction in the army, which rejects making any compromise to the communist movement.

For example, would Año endorse the release of 400 political prisoners? In recent weeks, this demand became more urgent after an elderly activist died in detention. According to activists, there are 130 aging and ailing political prisoners who must be immediately released based on humanitarian grounds.

Duterte was quoted by the media several times as saying that he cannot easily release political prisoners because it might antagonize the military. For some activists, Año’s appointment could only mean prolonged suffering for political prisoners.

Even prior to Año’s appointment, activists have been critical of the army’s involvement in the “war on drugs” as they accuse soldiers of using the campaign as a pretext to launch counterinsurgency operations in both rural and urban poor communities.

This is the latest disturbing development in the government’s aggressive campaign to eliminate the drug menace in the country. It seems the drug campaign is now being used to attack activists, dissenters, and suspected enemies of the state.

The government has repeatedly claimed that it is winning the war against drug cartels but it refuses to recognize the excesses committed by state forces against the poor and ordinary Filipinos.

More than 5,000 cases of drug-related extrajudicial killings have been recorded since July, with the majority of victims coming from poor villages. The police have two excuses: either the victims resisted arrest, which provoked the police to retaliate and shoot back, or the killings were perpetrated not by the police at all, but by rival drug cartels.

The government’s top officials have warned abusive cops that they will face punishment for their actions, but this commitment to pursue accountability is undermined by Duterte’s pronouncement that he will not allow any police officer to be jailed for killing drug operators.

Clearly, impunity has worsened under the Duterte government.

Duterte is derided for his frequent rants against his enemies but the real source of distress is not just his offensive language but the militaristic and dictatorial policies of his government.

Duterte is turning out to be a disappointment to some of his followers, who believed that he was sincere when he made a pledge to implement substantial reforms in government. After all, Duterte made some impressive initiatives such as resuming peace talks with rebels, appointing leftist leaders in his Cabinet, and asserting the sovereignty of the Philippines. Duterte should listen to his progressive allies, including those in the human rights advocacy, who are still ready to partner with him in building a more democratic society.

As things stand today, however, the reformist outlook of Duterte’s administration is overshadowed by his brutal rejection of human rights concerns. The specter of death has become an everyday reality for ordinary Filipinos targeted by the ill-conceived “war on drugs.” Many activists and rural villagers continue to be accused of being communist sympathizers, political prisoners are held hostage by a government that refuses to correct the injustices of the past, and the president himself threatens to undermine the civil liberties of the people in order to achieve total victory in the so-called “war on drugs.”