HRW: Marcos' claim of lessened violence in 'drug war' disregards continuing killings

His claim, made in Berlin, that "some" police officers have been convicted for killings is misleading, says Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch reaction to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ statement in Berlin about the “drug war.”

March 14, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s claim, made while on an official visit to Germany, that the violence in the "drug war" has lessened during his term disregards the fact that the killings have continued under his watch and, equally important, his administration is failing to provide accountability for past and recent crimes. According to monitoring by the University of the Philippines Third World Studies Center, an average of one person is killed every day in drug-related violence ever since Marcos became president in June 2022. As of its March 7, 2024, tally 572 people were killed by law enforcement officers, their agents, or unidentified gunmen.*

Marcos also said "some" law enforcers have been "been tried and convicted." This is a misleading claim. Out of the thousands and thousands of killings since 2016, only two cases have resulted in the conviction of police officers, one of which was during the Duterte administration. Investigation by the government into these killings has not produced any significant results while authorities continue to refuse to assist in the investigations of government agencies such as the Philippines Commission on Human Rights. President Marcos has likewise steadfastly refused to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in its investigations of alleged crimes against humanity prior to his taking office.

The "drug war" remains a state policy. Marcos has not rescinded Duterte's issuances for the "drug war." He has likewise never categorically and publicly ordered law enforcers to stop the violence. He cannot claim progress because the impunity persists.

Bryony Lau
Asia Deputy Director
Human Rights Watch