A recent report from the United States (U.S.) Department of State highlighted the ongoing issue of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the Philippines. According to the 58-page Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the human rights situation in the country has seen “no significant changes.”
While the report noted a decrease in the number of arbitrary and extrajudicial killings in 2023, it attributed the EJKs to “arbitrary or unlawful killings by police in connection with antidrug operations.” The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has continued the war on drugs initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte, with a shift towards “treatment and rehabilitation, due process, and rule of law-based investigations.”
Data from the non-governmental organization Dahas PH revealed that there were 209 killings related to anti-drug operations from January to August 2023. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also investigated 51 new complaints of alleged EJKs, affecting 82 victims, involving various individuals including police personnel, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, insurgents, civilians, and unidentified individuals.
Additionally, the report mentioned specific cases, such as the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and five others in March 2023, as well as the shooting of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar by Navotas City police officers in August 2023. The report also addressed other human rights issues, including enforced disappearances, torture, gender-based violence, and restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom.
The U.S. State Department submits its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices annually to the U.S. Congress for review.
