July 26, 2021
Cited article by Laura Kelly, The Hill
HRRC's Response:
The Philippines has experienced an intense period of violence with the rise of President Rodrigo Duterte. President Duterte implemented a "war on drugs" over five years ago which has resulted in thousands of deaths.
U.S. Senate Democrats raised their concerns over the blatant human rights violations Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Within their letter, they stated, "...Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has waged a multi-year extrajudicial, violent, and inhumane ‘war on drugs’ that has devastated communities, and has been used as justification to target the independent press, political opponents, human rights advocates, and compromise judicial due process."
HRRC joins U.S. Senate Democrats and the various international organizations in asking the U.S. to hold accountable the Philippines government and President Duterte.