Philippine drug war

Philippine Drug War

The Philippine Drug War, also known as the War on Drugs in the Philippines, is an ongoing government-led initiative that aims to eliminate drug use and drug trafficking in the country. Initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte upon his assumption of office in 2016, the campaign has been marked by a high number of deaths and human rights controversies.

Background

The drug problem in the Philippines has been a persistent issue for decades. Prior to the drug war, the country was considered a major transit point and consumer of illegal drugs, particularly methamphetamine (locally known as shabu) and marijuana. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has been the primary agency tasked with addressing this issue.

Implementation

Upon his election, President Duterte launched an aggressive campaign against illegal drugs. The campaign involves large-scale police operations, known as Oplan Tokhang, where suspected drug users and dealers are urged to surrender. However, these operations have been criticized for their violent nature, often resulting in the deaths of suspects.

Controversies and Criticisms

The Philippine Drug War has been heavily criticized by various local and international groups, including Human Rights Watch and the United Nations, for alleged human rights abuses. Critics argue that the campaign has resulted in extrajudicial killings and has disproportionately targeted poor communities. The government, however, maintains that the deaths are the result of legitimate police operations.

Impact

The impact of the drug war on Philippine society has been significant. While the government claims that the campaign has resulted in a decrease in drug-related crimes, critics argue that it has only resulted in a climate of fear and impunity. The drug war has also strained the country's relations with several international bodies and countries.

See Also

• Human rights in the Philippines
• Crime in the Philippines
• Rodrigo Duterte