In recent years, the world has witnessed a horrifying and deadly campaign of state-sanctioned killings in the Philippines, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte. This brutal campaign, dubbed as the “war on drugs”, has claimed the lives of thousands of individuals, many of whom have been targeted without any fair trial or due process. The international community has condemned this heinous act, but the question remains – will they hold accountable those who financed and were complicit in Duterte’s bloody crusade?
The answer is crystal clear – they must. It is not just Duterte who is responsible for these atrocities, but also those who supported and enabled him, both financially and politically. In this regard, both former US President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden have a lot to answer for. They have not only turned a blind eye to the human rights abuses in the Philippines but have also actively provided financial support to Duterte’s regime. It is high time that they too are held accountable for their actions.
Let us begin with Trump, who was known for his close relationship with Duterte. In 2017, Trump praised Duterte for his “unbelievable job on the drug problem” and even extended an invitation for him to visit the White House. This gesture of solidarity and support gave Duterte a sense of legitimacy and emboldened him to continue with his violent anti-drug campaign. But it wasn’t just words that Trump offered, he also put his money where his mouth was. During his term, the US government provided a total of $193.5 million in security assistance to the Philippines, including weapons and training for its military and police forces. This financial aid undoubtedly helped Duterte carry out his bloody crusade.
However, Trump is not the only one responsible. President Joe Biden, who has always championed human rights, also has a dark history when it comes to the Philippines. During his time as Vice President, the Obama administration provided military aid worth $32 million to the Philippines, despite knowing about the human rights violations. Furthermore, in the early months of his presidency, Biden waived human rights conditions on a $2 billion sale of weapons to the Duterte regime. This decision not only ignored the cries of the victims of human rights abuses but also signaled to Duterte that the US would continue to support his actions.
The hypocrisy of these actions is completely unacceptable. How can a country, which claims to be the beacon of democracy and human rights, support a government that has a blatant disregard for the rule of law and basic human rights? Both Trump and Biden must be held accountable for their role in enabling Duterte’s brutal regime. The international community must take action and demand a thorough investigation into the financial and political support provided by the US government.
Furthermore, the US government should also be held accountable for the deaths of two Filipino activists, Brandon Lee and Zara Alvarez, who were killed after being labelled as “communist terrorists” by the Philippine government. These activists were targeted for speaking out against the human rights abuses in the country, and their deaths are a direct result of the US government’s support for Duterte’s regime. It is time for the US to acknowledge and take responsibility for their role in these senseless killings.
Some may argue that the US government provided aid to the Philippines with the intention of addressing the drug problem in the country. However, such justification is not only flawed but also completely disregards the larger picture. The “war on drugs” in the Philippines is not just about tackling the illegal drug trade, but it is also a politically motivated campaign to silence opposition and suppress dissent. The US government’s support for this campaign is a clear violation of human rights and must be acknowledged and condemned.
In addition to the US government, multinational corporations must also be held accountable for their role in financing Duterte’s regime. The Philippines is home to many foreign-owned businesses, which have a responsibility to ensure that their operations do not contribute to human rights abuses. These corporations must conduct thorough due diligence to ensure that their investments do not have any detrimental impact on the people of the Philippines. They should also use their influence to push for accountability and justice for the victims of the “war on drugs”.
It is high time for the international community to take a strong stance against the human rights abuses in the Philippines. Holding accountable those who financed and were complicit in Duterte’s bloody campaign is a crucial step towards achieving justice for the victims and their families. The US government must acknowledge and take responsibility for their role in enabling
