From Savior to Suspect: The Fall of Duterte’s Anti-Drug Crusade

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — December 16, 2024

RODRIGO Duterte’s iron-fisted legacy is cracking under the weight of new revelations. A House Quad-Committee alleges his war on drugs—a campaign once hailed as a triumph of law and order—was a smokescreen for a criminal enterprise enriching Duterte and his allies. With Representative Romeo Acop unveiling testimonies that pierce the heart of Duterte’s tough-on-crime narrative, the nation is left grappling with a chilling question: Was justice ever the goal?

The Case Against Duterte: A Nation Duped?

Acop’s claims rest on a tapestry of testimonies, including accounts from former law enforcement officers and insiders. Central to the allegations is the assertion that Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, which claimed an estimated 30,000 lives, was a façade to consolidate control over the lucrative drug trade. Acop argues that this campaign eliminated local drug competitors, creating an “open season” for importers linked to Duterte’s inner circle.

Colonel Eduardo Acierto, a former police officer, accused Duterte of shielding Michael Yang, a former economic adviser, and implicated Duterte’s own family in the drug trade. Jimmy Guban, a former Customs intelligence officer, testified about a 2018 shipment of shabu allegedly tied to Duterte’s son Paolo, Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband Mans Carpio, and Yang. These accounts, combined with statements from retired Colonel Royina Garma, self-confessed hitman Arturo Lascañas, and police Colonel Jovie Espenido, paint a grim picture of state-sponsored criminality.

Acierto’s characterization of Duterte as the “lord of all drug lords” strikes at the heart of Duterte’s political persona. What makes this narrative particularly chilling is the alleged “reward system” under Duterte’s administration, which encouraged police killings with monetary incentives. Testimonies described payouts as high as PHP 100,000 per kill, incentivizing brutality and extrajudicial executions. Acop underscored this system’s perverse logic: a war on drugs designed to enrich its architects while devastating communities.

Duterte Under Legal Fire: Assessing the Implications

The legal case against Duterte is as complex as it is incendiary. Acop’s arguments suggest violations of Philippine and international law, including:

Crimes Against Humanity
The staggering death toll of Duterte’s drug war, combined with evidence of systematic extrajudicial killings, could constitute crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute and Republic Act No. 9851. Though the Philippines withdrew from the International Criminal Court (ICC), crimes committed while it was a member remain under the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Extrajudicial Killings
The Philippine Constitution guarantees the right to life, and the Revised Penal Code prohibits murder. Duterte’s alleged direct involvement in ordering killings, as corroborated by Lascañas and others, could render him criminally liable under domestic law.
Corruption and Ethical Violations
Testimonies implicating Duterte’s family and associates in the drug trade raise potential violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials (RA 6713). These laws demand transparency and accountability—principles that Duterte’s administration appears to have flouted.
Command Responsibility
Duterte could face liability under the doctrine of command responsibility, which holds leaders accountable for crimes committed by subordinates if they knew or should have known about the acts but failed to prevent or punish them.

Duterte’s Allies Strike Back

Unsurprisingly, Duterte’s allies, including Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. Dela Rosa, a former police chief and architect of the drug war, has denied any complicity, framing the accusations as an assault on his integrity. Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo has labeled the testimonies as hearsay and claimed the investigation aims to derail Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2028 presidential ambitions.

These counterarguments, however, face significant challenges. Acop’s meticulous documentation of patterns and corroborated testimonies weakens the credibility of claims that this is merely political theater. Moreover, Duterte’s own public admission of ordering extrajudicial killings, including the execution of 11 Chinese chemists in 2004, lends weight to Acop’s assertions.

The Evidence Under Scrutiny: A Critical Assessment

While both sides present compelling narratives, Acop’s arguments resonate with a broader pattern of evidence emerging from Duterte’s tenure. The QuadComm’s identification of recurring figures in testimonies — from Acierto to Yang — strengthens the case for a systemic enterprise rather than isolated incidents. Duterte’s own public admission of ordering the 2004 killing of 11 Chinese shabu chemists adds credence to the claims of long-standing involvement in extrajudicial operations.

Still, the burden of proof lies heavily on Acop’s camp. Philippine law demands stringent standards for criminal liability, and the admissibility of testimonies from controversial figures may face significant legal challenges. Duterte’s allies will likely exploit these gaps, framing the probe as a politically charged endeavor.

The Broader Context: A Nation at Stake

The stakes of this debate go beyond Duterte’s legacy. The investigation exposes deep rifts within Philippine politics, particularly between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. As QuadComm continues its hearings into 2025, the findings could redefine the balance of power ahead of the midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.

Public opinion is shifting, with increasing calls for accountability and justice for victims of the drug war. Meanwhile, international scrutiny looms. The ICC’s ongoing probe into the drug war killings could gain momentum if QuadComm’s findings are validated, potentially forcing Duterte to face justice on a global stage.

Recommendations: Charting a Path Forward

For Representative Acop
Acop must ensure that QuadComm’s investigation is airtight, backed by incontrovertible evidence, and insulated from allegations of partisanship. His focus should remain on justice for victims and strengthening institutions to prevent future abuses.
For Rodrigo Duterte and Allies
Duterte’s camp should cooperate with investigations and present credible evidence to counter the allegations. Continued evasion risks further eroding public trust and international credibility.
For Filipinos
Citizens must demand transparency and accountability from their leaders, regardless of political affiliation. A reckoning with the drug war’s human toll is essential for healing and reform.
For the International Community
The ICC and human rights organizations must remain vigilant in monitoring developments and supporting efforts to ensure justice.

The Coming Storm

The QuadComm investigation has set the stage for a titanic political and legal battle. Will Duterte’s allies successfully shield him, or will the weight of evidence and public outcry break through? As the Philippines hurtles toward its next election cycle, the nation confronts a pivotal question: Can a country built on promises of order and justice confront the darkest truths about its leaders?