Kaming Mga Naiwan: Mga Kuwento ng Pamilya ng mga Biktima ng Giyera Kontra Droga

by the Philippine Human Rights Information Center


Monitoring and Documentation of EJKs and Other Human Rights Violations

As the BBM–Duterte UNITEAM disintegrates amid irreconcilable differences, families affected by the so-called war on drugs continue to wait in vain for the justice they desperately seek. To add insult to injury, the ongoing Quad-Comm hearings in the Philippine Congress have deepened their pain instead of offering solace and a clear path to accountability. 


Despite the tireless efforts of human rights defenders and the families of victims, injustices and widespread human rights violations persist. Those in power remain resistant to the truth, choosing instead to remain complicit in protecting former President Duterte and other key players in the so-called war on drugs.


As the International Criminal Court investigation continues, families left behind remain steadfast and undeterred in their quest for justice. They persist in fighting against the systemic injustices and human rights violations perpetuated by the Marcos Jr. administration, which continues the controversial anti-drug policies of Duterte. These families demand accountability and confront the ongoing suffering inflicted by the government’s actions within their communities.


It has been eight years since the start of the drug war, and while the Marcos Jr. administration touts a supposedly “softer” approach to battling illegal drugs, the reality of the ongoing violence is conveniently left out. As the years pass, the public also risks forgetting the painful and brutal events of the so-called war on drugs. This is why it remains crucial to hear the stories of those directly affected. As a society, we owe it to every victim to understand the pain resulting from these heinous acts against humanity.


In this report, we present findings from the Philippine Human Rights Information Center’s (PhilRights) monitoring and documentation activities, covering cases of alleged human rights violations from July 2016 to September 2024. This report also highlights four stories of families left behind after the victims’ deaths, presenting the multidimensional nature of the impact of the drug war to those left behind.


These accounts offer but a snapshot of the extensive harm caused by the so-called war on drugs. The urgent responsibility of recording these violations, preserving their memory, and collecting evidence for accountability has never been more critical.


Para sa mga biktima at kanilang mga naiwan.


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