The Pacific Island country “Philippines” has been on a war against drugs in the recent years, ordered by their newly elected president Duterte. He is loved by thousands in the country, for his changes in this third world country. Government facilities have improved, the country has been more cleaned up than ever, and many more. However, he is known for his so called “notorious” drug war in the country, in order to stop all dealers and addicts from within, but at what cost?
Duterte’s Drug Force
According to CNN Philippines (2018), “5,104 “drug personalities” have been killed as of January 2019. News organizations and human rights groups claim the death toll is over 12,000. The victims included 54 children in the first year. Opposition senators claimed in 2018 that over 20,000 have been killed.” Hundreds and thousands of innocent civilians have been killed and slaughtered within this disastrous war, with not much effect towards the drug problem the president aims to eliminate. According to Balwin C. (2017) on his investigation towards the Philippines Drug War, he points how
“In the capital Manila, the street price of methamphetamine was reportedly lower in June 2017 than a year earlier, which has been interpreted as an indication of the policy’s ineffectiveness.”
This type of suffering is obviously seen as a war to around the globe, but is considered an everyday lifestyle if you are a citizen of the Philippines. In 2017, Grade 11 student Kian Loyd delos Santos was killed during the war on drugs, with the police claiming they shot in “self defense”. CCTV footage shows how the boy demonstrated no action towards the police, leaving people in question with whether the drug war is doing more harm than good. Kian was not the only minor below 18 years old that was caught in the crossfire. Around 50 more minors were killed in 2017 alone, with numbers rising as the years go by.
A school tribute to one of the students who was killed in the drug war
Some may ask, what is the point of having this drug war? Is it portrayed as a message to the people? A movement? Or even entertainment?
In 2017, Netflix released a mini TV series titled “Amo” is based about the Philippines crackdown on narcotics. It revolves around the high school student Joseph, who deals with goes to the wrong side of town and is tangled up in the drug trade. The Pinoy TV series has been controversial amongst viewers due to how the series portrays the drug war in the Philippines. Joseph Hincks (2017) from TIME, writes how “The controversy over Amo comes amid a broader debate on how the Philippine drug war is presented to the world.”
The Trailer for the Netflix TV series Amo
The director of the mini TV series, Cannes award-winning director Brillante Mendoza has a close relationship with the Philippines’ president. Not only has Mendoza created various films and videos regarding the drug war, but is also a strong supporter for Duterte’s motives.
“The Philippines’ most famous director has said Duterte’s campaign is “necessary” for his own and “other countries afflicted with the drug problem,” according to Agence France-Presse.
There has been several petitions for the cancelation of Amo, particularly from victims from the drug war. A Filipino mother gathered more than 10,000 signatures for the demolishment, due to her disabled son being gun downed for police for suspected drug activity. More than 13 human rights group also called Netflix to cancel the premiere, as they believe this show “aims to justify extrajudicial killings.” (CNN, 2017)
The Philippine’s war on drugs has been a suffering for the Pinoy civilians, with the chance of being killed at any second. It has been presented as a message to the people, as well as some form of entertainment to some. Will this bring more suffering to the victims of this suffering? Watching a Netflix series may seem like nothing, but to people who lost their loved ones in the drug war crossfire, might have to think twice.
References
- Baldwin, C. (2017, June 25). More blood but no victory as Philippine drug war marks its first year. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-duterte-drugs/more-blood-but-no-victory-as-philippine-drug-war-marks-its-first-year-idUSKBN19G05D
- CNN Philippines. (2018). SWS: Most Filipinos believe number of drug addicts decreased in 2018. Retrieved from http://nine.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/02/16/SWS-Filipinos-drug-addicts-decrease-2018.html
- Hincks, J. (2018, April 30). Netflix ‘Amo’ Series on Philippines Drug War Faces Criticism. Retrieved from http://time.com/5249981/netflix-brillante-mendoza-amo-duterte-drug-war/
The Erryl Classicz 