Palace urged: Rethink approach to drug war

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged the government to rethink its approach to the campaign against illegal drugs following President Duterte’s new directive for a “harsher” war on drugs.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said yesterday that the threat of a harsher campaign is an insult to the thousands who have died since the government started the war on drugs in 2016.

“Since the start of the campaign against illegal drugs, the commission has expressed its support for it but repeatedly denounced the methods used. We recognize the need to address the drug problem and if the methods need to be harsh, we will not question it for as long as it is in accordance with the rule of law and does not result to loss of lives,” she said.

“We hope that the administration will rethink its approach and exemplify rule of law, due process and respect for human lives in its words and policies, for these are among the sworn and primary duties of the government as set forth in the Constitution,” she added.

De Guia said Duterte’s remarks, while perhaps intended to forewarn those who are into the business of drugs, can be interpreted as a directive and embolden state agents to dismiss due process.

“We reiterate that such remarks carry the weight of a policy and reinforces the culture of impunity, given that it is uttered by no less than the commander-in-chief,” she added.

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo said the government should learn from what happened in the past two and a half years, noting that the problem persists even as thousands have already been killed.

“Isn’t this proof that violence, killings will not resolve the drug war?” she said in Filipino on Wednesday. “Like what I said, there are a lot of drugs that enter through international cartels. Why don’t we focus on that?”