By Jon Hiltz

 

In a shocking display of barbarity coming from the President of the Philippines, citizens were encouraged at a recent press conference to help with the country’s illegal drug problem by taking matters into their own hands.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, also known as ‘The Punisher’ for his tough stance on crime, took the office in May on the platform that he would eradicate the Philippines’ drug problem through force. Duterte took the stage at a recent event where he flat out called on his citizens to shoot suspected drug dealers. He added that for doing so, they would receive a cash reward, 5 million pesos for a known drug lord and 3 million pesos for a dealer.

He also added that citizens have his support in the murders, and he sarcastically added that they would get a medal for the act.

“We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier and the last pusher have surrendered, been put behind bars or below the ground if they so wish,” he said, addressing the Philippines Congress.

This shameful, lethal free-for-all has resulted in more than 700 executions in less than three months according to media outlets.

Over 300 NGOs and civil society groups have called on the United Nations to take action against President Duterte for human rights violations, and to put an immediate end to the deaths of suspected drug dealers and users.

Earlier this week, an open letter was sent by 353 NGOs to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The letter asks the U.N. to call on the Philippines President to immediately end the incitement for citizens to kill suspects. It also states that Duterte must fulfill human rights obligations, including due process and the right to a fair trial. As well, the letter asks for President Duterte to promote voluntary treatment programs for drug users instead of compulsory rehabilitation in military camps and not to reinstate the death penalty for drug offenses, which he has said he plans to do.

Duterte indirectly acknowledged the push-back and stated that human rights cannot be used as a shield to destroy the country.

These acts come at a time where many countries are changing their stance on addiction and drug use to one of treatment and tolerance, instead of violent condemnation, due to the failed war on drugs in previous decades.

As the dead bodies continue to flow through the streets of Manila and elsewhere around the Philippines, the world watches in horror with the hope that someone will step in.