RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS!

Death toll attributed to war on drugs of the Duterte administration has now reached over 3,000 – both from the legitimate police operations and extrajudicial killings (EJK). Since July 1, 2016 when President Rodrigo R. Duterte assumed office, there have been 3,225 total number of persons killed in which 1,152 were killed in police operations as of September 19, 2016 and 2,073 were victims of extrajudicial killings as of September 15, 2016. In police operations, there have been 17,759 arrested drug personalities and 715,393 surrenderees in Project Tokhang. These police operations were intensified due to the 6 months promised deadline of President Duterte in ending the illegal drug problem in the country.

However, the intensity of this initiative compromised the lives of innocent individuals who were implicated to illegal drug trade and made the poor victims of collateral damage of the operations. Even the due process of law was neglected as death toll increases.

We commend the present administration’s motivation and firm courage to end the illegal drug problems of the country as it is the only administration that is bold and daring enough to fight illegal drugs. Furthermore, we appreciate how these efforts contribute to the decreasing crime rates in many communities as reported.

We believe that to live in an illegal drug – free society is a right of every Filipino and of the generations to come. But we also believe that illegal drug users and pushers are victims of inequalities of the Philippine society and that human rights are non-negotiable, inalienable and universal, thus, the human rights of the poor drug users and pushers are not lesser than that of the rich. Drug lords and protectors of illegal drugs do not have a place in this society, thus, they should be the one to suffer in jails and be meted out with maximum punishment that they deserve in accordance with the law.

We also believe that war on drugs could be more effective should the current administration works on efficient and comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the drug victims especially on the aspect of economic re-integration, family and community education and other mechanisms of support.

We further believe that as a social illness, illegal drugs in the country is a concern of every Filipino and not just of the police, hence, as a stakeholders the peoples’ voices and active participation to this cause is a must.

An illegal drug – free society is pro-human rights!

Alliance of Tri-People for the Advancement of Human Rights (ALTAHR)
Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao (AMKP)
Email: altahr2015@gmail.com, amkp_cotabato@yahoo.com

September 21, 2016