Rights groups refute Marcos’ claim of ‘progress’ in ending drug war abuses

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights groups on Thursday refuted the president’s recent claim that the government is “progressing” in terms of curbing police abuses in the so-called “war on drugs” initiated by his predecessor.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) in separate statements criticized Marcos for touting the “lessened” problem of drugs under his leadership during his visit to Germany this week.

Marcos’ claim “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,” said Bryony Lau, Asia Deputy Director at HRW. 

During his three-day visit to Germany this week, Marcos said that the government's approach to drug use has "changed significantly," according to reports of his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday.

"I diametrically opposed to handling the drug problem in that way, by confrontation, by violence and it really requires so much, more much deeper understanding on the problem and the much deeper solution. So, yes, I think that we are also progressing when it comes to that," Marcos said.

Citing data from the University of the Philippines Third World Studies Center, Lau pointed out that since Marcos assumed office in June 2022, illegal drug operations have resulted in the deaths of an average of one person everyday. Since then, law enforcement officers or unidentified gunmen have killed at least 572 people as of March 7, according to the group.

“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 Marcos has not rescinded Duterte's issuances for the ‘drug war.’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,” Lau said.

Marcos also “continues to distort the facts to portray his administration favorably on the global stage” even as human rights violations under his watch “persist unabated,” PAHRA said in a message to Philstar.com.

Marcos has yet to order the discontinuation of the police’s signature campaigns against illegal drugs, including the notorious "Double Barrel" and "Oplan Tokhang" schemes introduced under former President Rodrigo