Duterte’s bloody drug war was really a war on the poor

Salon - Mar 22nd, 2025
Open on Salon

On August 16, 2017, the murder of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos by police in Manila ignited public outrage against then-President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal anti-drug campaign. Duterte's policies, marked by extrajudicial killings, led to as many as 30,000 deaths, often targeting innocent individuals. Despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and extradited to The Hague for trial on charges of crimes against humanity.

Duterte's arrest marks a significant moment for accountability in the Philippines, a nation with a history of political dynasties and violence. His presidency, characterized by a violent crackdown on drugs, left a deeply divided society and widespread human rights abuses. Father Flavie Villanueva, a vocal critic of the drug war, sees Duterte's arrest as a triumph of justice. The case highlights global concerns over drug policies and human rights, emphasizing the need for more humane approaches to drug-related issues worldwide.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a compelling narrative about the human rights abuses and societal impact of Duterte's drug war in the Philippines. It effectively highlights the personal stories of victims and critics, engaging readers with vivid descriptions and emotional depth. The story addresses significant public interest topics, such as government accountability and international justice, making it relevant to both local and international audiences.

However, the article's reliance on potentially unverifiable claims and lack of explicit source attribution detracts from its overall accuracy and source quality. While the narrative is engaging and well-structured, a more balanced representation of perspectives and improved transparency in sourcing would enhance the story's credibility and impact.

Overall, the article is a thought-provoking and impactful piece that raises important ethical questions about state policies and human rights, encouraging readers to engage with the issues and consider the broader implications of government actions.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of events related to the drug war in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte, including the death of Kian delos Santos and Duterte’s alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings. The claim about Kian’s death aligns with reports from credible news outlets and human rights organizations, providing a basis for accuracy. However, the article presents a high estimate of the death toll during Duterte's tenure, stating as many as 30,000 may have been killed, which is higher than some official figures, indicating a need for careful verification.

The story also mentions Duterte's arrest by the International Criminal Court, a significant claim requiring robust evidence. Although there have been discussions about ICC investigations, the article’s assertion of his arrest is not widely corroborated by other sources, suggesting a potential inaccuracy.

Furthermore, the article attributes several direct quotes to Duterte, such as his inaugural address comments and remarks about killings, which need precise verification from official transcripts or reliable reports. Overall, while the article captures many verified elements of Duterte’s controversial policies, some claims, particularly concerning legal proceedings and specific figures, require further substantiation.

6
Balance

The article predominantly presents a critical perspective on Duterte’s drug war, highlighting human rights abuses and the impact on the poor. It provides detailed narratives from victims’ families and critics like Father Flavie Villanueva, emphasizing the negative consequences of the policy. This focus can be seen as providing a necessary counter-narrative to official government statements.

However, the article lacks a balanced representation of perspectives. It does not include viewpoints from Duterte supporters or officials who might justify the drug war as a necessary measure against crime. The absence of these perspectives may contribute to a one-sided portrayal, potentially leading to bias in the reader’s understanding of the issue.

While the article effectively highlights the human cost of the policy, a more balanced approach would include a broader range of voices, including those who might argue for the policy's effectiveness or necessity, to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear and engaging narrative that effectively conveys the gravity of the situation in the Philippines. The language is vivid and descriptive, capturing the reader's attention and providing a compelling account of the events and their impact.

The structure of the article is logical, with a coherent flow that guides the reader through the story. The use of direct quotes and personal anecdotes adds depth and humanizes the narrative, making it more relatable and impactful.

While the article is clear and engaging, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanations, particularly regarding complex legal proceedings or statistical data, to ensure all readers can fully grasp the nuances of the story.

5
Source quality

The article references various sources, including direct quotes from Father Flavie Villanueva and mentions of Duterte's speeches. However, it lacks explicit attribution to specific, verifiable sources for many of its claims, such as the number of deaths attributed to the drug war and the details of Duterte’s ICC proceedings.

The reliance on unnamed witnesses and general references to international reactions without direct citations weakens the overall source quality. The story would benefit from clearer attribution to authoritative sources like human rights organizations, government reports, or international legal bodies to enhance credibility.

While the narrative is compelling, the lack of detailed source information and reliance on potentially unverifiable claims detracts from the article’s reliability. More explicit references to primary or secondary sources would strengthen the article's factual foundation.

6
Transparency

The article offers a clear narrative of the events surrounding Duterte's drug war, but it lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the methodology or sources used to verify the claims made. The absence of links or references to supporting documents or data makes it difficult for readers to assess the basis of the claims independently.

There is a strong emphasis on the personal accounts and perspectives of critics, particularly Father Villanueva, which provides some context. However, the lack of disclosure about how certain figures, such as the death toll or ICC actions, were derived limits the reader's ability to fully understand the article's foundation.

Improved transparency would involve providing more explicit details about the sources of information and how conclusions were reached, allowing readers to critically evaluate the article's claims.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_drug_war
  2. https://schlosserei-herrsching.de/home/
  3. https://time.com/philippines-drug-war/
  4. https://qresear.ch/?q=UNITED+STATES
  5. https://acleddata.com/2018/10/18/dutertes-war-drug-related-violence-in-the-philippines/