Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported [6] June 30 that authorities in the Philippines continue to conduct extrajudicial killings, with no accountability, as part of the government's anti-drug campaign. Ten years after then-President Rodrigo Duterte launched his brutal "war on drugs [7]," serious human rights violations remain ongoing.
HRW stated that police officers in the Philippines have continued to commit extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests against suspects, which is reminiscent of security officers' practices under Duterte's administration. Additionally, accountability mechanisms remain weak and inadequate.
According to HRW, the number of killings in the anti-drug campaign has reached 1,273 since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became president in 2022. The report noted a decline in the number of extrajudicial killings compared to rates under Duterte's presidency, but found that illegal arrests have significantly increased.
HRW added that police raids have become more difficult to document as that they have often been conducted by officers dressed in civilian clothes, while masked gunmen have carried out killings, complicating investigations. Individuals also stated to HRW that they experienced harassment from police officers even after the arrest of their relatives, while others indicated that their family member was tortured during arrest, before going missing.
HRW called on authorities to end this aggressive anti-drug campaign and instead prosecute drug dealers following a rights-based approach that complies with legal norms and proceedings, while ensuring the protection of all Philippine citizens' rights.
The Philippines long faced criticism for its drug war campaign launched by Duterte in 2016, which was marked by thousands of extrajudicial killings of suspected drug users and dealers. In 2025, Duterte was arrested under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity [8] related to his controversial war on drugs. The trial [9] is scheduled to open Nov. 30, focusing on three counts of crimes against humanity: murder, torture, and rape.
Current President Marcos has pledged [11] to shift the government's punitive approach to the fight against drug trafficking by adopting a more holistic, human rights-based approach. In April 2024, the Philippines held [12] the Drug Policy & Law Reform Summit, launching an initiative aimed at reforming the country's drug policy and national laws. However, President Marcos continues to receive calls from monitors to cease ongoing abuses and ensure accountability for all those involved in human rights violations.
From JURIST [13], July 2. Used with permission. Internal links added.
