Conviction of policemen reflection of state policy

THE recent conviction of police officers charged with planting evidence and torturing drug suspects supports the argument that the government does not condone impunity. Policemen Jeffrey Perez and Ricky Arquilita denied the charges and may even face murder raps in the future. But for now, a court found them guilty and sentenced Mr. Perez to a minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment. Mr. Arquilita died before the trial concluded.

Amnesty International downplayed the conviction as a “drop in the bucket,” given the thousands who died during war on drugs waged by then-president Rodrigo Duterte. That seems unfair. At least 6,200 did die during the campaign, according to official figures. But that number pales in comparison with the millions who voluntarily surrendered to the authorities and underwent treatment during the previous government’s tenure.

The recent conviction may be rare but maybe more are coming. Human Rights Watch, citing the Department of Justice, reported that the government was investigating 52 cases involving 154 policemen implicated in questionable killings. That seems hard to reconcile with allegations that the state policy had been to condone or even encourage murdering suspected drug offenders.

Granted, Mr. Duterte did threaten to kill drug pushers. But in his defense, his allies claim that outrageous soundbites were merely political theater. He simply wanted to get a message through an audience that was not going be moved by “pretty please” or similar polite appeals to stop using and peddling illegal drugs.

Despite Mr. Duterte’s controversial approach, the government followed the law as best it could. The Dangerous Drugs Board or DDB “... reiterates that no policies have been issued that permit, tolerate and condone killings and other human rights violations in relation to the Philippine’s anti-drug campaign.”

Police rights

Besides, law enforcers have the right to protect themselves. The Commission on Human Rights released a report earlier this year, saying 18 victims of the drug war were in law enforcement. That number included 11 active-duty members of the Philippine National Police. Indeed, those who died in the line of duty deserve the same public sympathy from human rights advocates and others who have been relentless in criticizing the past administration’s drug war.

Some refuse or deny to appreciate that when Mr. Duterte was elected president, some 90 percent of villages were infiltrated by drug syndicates. He may have failed to eradicate the drug problem, as he had promised, but before leaving office, only 36.6 percent of the villages were yet to be cleared of illegal drugs operations.

The DDB reported that 1.67 percent of Filipinos between ages 10 and 69 still use illegal substances. And from the start of the Duterte administration to early this year, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has seized P89.79 billion worth of narcotics.

Drug abuse is far from the harmless or recreational habit that some may imagine. To paraphrase Mr. Duterte, illegal drugs ruin lives and even exacts an economic toll, particularly on lost labor productivity. That may be because among Filipino substance abusers, the leading drug used is “shabu” or methamphetamine hydrochloride.

There should be more indignation and public outcry against those pushing illegal drugs. Also, there should be more attention given to the lives and families ruined by illegal substances. Regrettably, most human rights advocates and critics of the campaign against illegal drugs seem only interested in blaming the government.

The drug syndicates, including their pushers, are not harmless. And the harsh reality is that there are crooked policemen and corrupt politicians who are helping or enabling the illegal drug trade. That makes the job even harder for law enforcers, the majority of whom are honest and committed to serving and protecting the people.

Until today, the illicit drug trade is thriving, at least based on the large busts reported in the news. The Marcos government has vowed to continue the campaign against illegal drugs, although President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that he wanted to target the syndicate bosses.

We hope the government succeeds. But the recent conviction of the police officers is a reminder of how tough and complex the challenge will be.