Jonvic Remulla’s High-Stakes Gamble: Can Marcos’ Drug War Deliver Where Duterte’s Failed?

By Louis ‘Barok’ C Biraogo — November 16, 2022

FOR decades, the Philippine drug crisis has been a specter haunting the nation’s progress—growing in scale, claiming lives, and eroding trust in governance. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. now faces a chance to rewrite this dark history, stepping away from the blood-soaked policies of Rodrigo Duterte. The question remains: Can his new ally, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, a political veteran, chart a path to redemption, or will history repeat itself?

The Key Player: A Profile of Remulla and His Role

Jonvic Remulla’s rise to the national stage is rooted in decades of political leadership in Cavite, where he earned a reputation as a pragmatic and results-oriented leader. Known for championing economic growth and modernization, he now faces a monumental task: dismantling the illegal drug trade rooted within the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), a notorious symbol of systemic corruption. His appointment signals a shift in strategy and a test of his ability to navigate complex bureaucratic and political landscapes.

The Duterte Doctrine: A Banner Advocacy

The Duterte administration’s war on drugs was marked by a singular focus on street-level users and dealers. Fueled by a “shock and awe” approach, it left behind a trail of human rights abuses and international condemnation. While it instilled fear, it failed to dismantle the drug supply chain’s entrenched structures. Marcos inherits this legacy, but he faces a unique political dilemma: how to achieve better results while avoiding the public backlash and legal scrutiny that haunted Duterte.

A New Approach: Supply-Side Disruption

Marcos and Remulla have pivoted toward a supply-focused strategy, targeting the drug trade’s systemic roots rather than its symptoms. The decision to transfer 200 high-value detainees from NBP to a new maximum-security facility marks a bold start. Intelligence reports suggest these detainees orchestrate drug operations from behind bars, exploiting corruption and weak oversight.

This strategy is notable for its:

Clarity and Focus: By concentrating on high-value targets and systemic enablers, the campaign has clear and measurable objectives.
Alignment with Broader Goals: It addresses public demands for accountability and aligns with Marcos’ promise of a less violent and more sustainable approach to governance.
Actionability: The plan to relocate detainees demonstrates practical steps, backed by inter-agency collaboration with DOJ, PDEA, and PNP.
Flexibility: The administration recognizes the dynamic nature of drug trafficking and has committed to iterative improvements.
Communication: By involving the President directly, the campaign signals strong political will and transparency.

The Uncertain Future: Challenges and Uncertainties

Despite its promise, the new strategy faces significant obstacles:

Entrenched Corruption: Smuggling and collusion within the NBP have persisted for decades, requiring systemic reform beyond facility transfers.
Resource Constraints: Building and securing new facilities demand substantial investment and skilled manpower.
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns: Transparency in handling high-profile detainees and ensuring due process remain critical.
Public Skepticism: After Duterte’s bloody campaign, Filipinos are cautious about promises of reform. Failure to deliver tangible results could erode trust further.

The Political Consequences: Success or Failure

If Remulla succeeds, he could redefine the narrative of the Philippine war on drugs, cementing his and Marcos’ legacy as reformers who tackled corruption and crime without the shadow of human rights violations. This success would bolster Marcos’ administration domestically and abroad, potentially opening avenues for foreign investment and aid.

However, failure would have dire consequences. It could reignite public dissatisfaction, embolden drug syndicates, and weaken Marcos’ already precarious political coalition. Worse, it risks solidifying the perception that systemic corruption and crime are insurmountable under his leadership.

Recommendations

To maximize the campaign’s success:

Ensure Accountability: Deploy independent oversight committees to monitor the relocation of high-value detainees and prison reforms.
Invest in Technology: Use advanced surveillance and communication-blocking tools to neutralize inmate operations.
Engage Communities: Strengthen grassroots anti-drug education and rehabilitation programs to complement supply-side efforts.
Build Credibility: Maintain transparency through regular progress updates and engage civil society groups to build public trust.

The Turning Point: A Suspenseful Transition

The weight of history rests heavily on Jonvic Remulla’s shoulders, but so does the potential for an unparalleled breakthrough. The Filipino people, scarred yet resilient, deserve a future defined by peace, integrity, and hope. As the nation takes tentative steps toward progress, the world watches for a signal that this administration can break free from the shadows of the past. Remulla’s moment is now—not just to lead, but to inspire a generation to believe in change.