Duterte Faces Senate Showdown Today: Unpacking the Controversial War on Drugs
DUTERTE – Former President Rodrigo Duterte is set to face a Senate probe today, where he will address questions about his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
Today’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry promises a compelling showdown between former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and former Senator Leila de Lima, two figures on opposing sides of the Philippines’ war on illegal drugs. Both Duterte and De Lima have confirmed their attendance as resource persons for this session, presided over by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, setting the stage for a high-profile examination of the controversial anti-drug campaign.
Duterte’s attendance was confirmed by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a key figure in launching and implementing the drug war as Duterte’s former Philippine National Police chief. On the other hand, De Lima’s involvement was announced by the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list, where she is running as the first nominee. As a former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, De Lima has been an outspoken critic of Duterte’s war on drugs, which led to her controversial seven-year detention on drug charges, from which she was eventually cleared.
Based on a report from Philstar, this inquiry is being conducted parallel to a similar investigation by the House of Representatives. The Senate committee aims to clarify the goals of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, the impact of “Oplan Tokhang,” and the origins of the numerous allegations of extrajudicial killings that plagued the campaign’s reputation. The committee also plans to examine the social, legal, and ethical consequences of the campaign, particularly concerning its alleged lack of due process and its impact on impoverished communities.
The advisory notes that the inquiry will cover public sentiment regarding the drug war, highlighting how it was perceived by various social sectors. While Duterte’s campaign was supported by citizens who saw it as an effort to address the widespread issue of methamphetamine use, human rights advocates criticized it as a disproportionate assault on urban poor communities.
According to the report, significant international criticism arose, leading the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a preliminary examination in 2018 on potential crimes against humanity associated with the campaign. This was followed by Duterte’s announcement of the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC. Despite this, the ICC continued its formal investigation in 2021.