Marcos’ drug war to shift focus but no softening

MANILA – Before turning over the presidency to Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., former President Rodrigo Duterte had one clear desire for the next leader: to keep the government’s tough anti-drug campaign going.

Marcos said in an recent interview that Duterte advised him to continue the campaign in his own way and apply some changes if necessary.

“Pero huwag mong iiwanan yan (referring to drug campaign), dahil kawawa ang kabataan natin, masisira ang buhay nila (Don’t abandon it. Our young people’s lives are at stake. Their lives might be ruined),” Marcos said, quoting Duterte’s remarks. 

In accordance with his predecessor’s advice, Marcos is anticipated to alter the anti-drug campaign’s priorities while adhering to due process and the rule of law.

While the previous administration focused on enforcement, Marcos stated that his administration’s anti-drug campaign will focus on drug abuse prevention, education, and the improvement of rehabilitation centers.

The new leader stated that he is open to appointing Duterte as drug czar, but Duterte declined. 

The international community applauded Marcos’ statements, with one envoy complimenting his commitment.

“We also touched upon political affairs — the importance of a strong commitment that has been expressed by the President-elect (Marcos) to conduct the war on drugs within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights and with the focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development,” Swedish Ambassador to Manila Annika Thunborg said in an earlier press briefing after meeting with Marcos on June 10.

This policy shift, however, does not imply that the country has softened its position toward the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) request to start an investigation into the government’s anti-narcotics campaign.

Marcos previously stated that he will allow members of the ICC to go to the country but only as tourists and not as investigators, stressing that the country already has a “functioning judiciary” and is capable of conducting investigations by itself.

The ICC granted the Philippines until September 8 to give comments on its request to resume the investigation into the former administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Earlier, the Office of the Solicitor General said it is still considering its available options in the probe by the ICC.

According to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, he will also hold consultations with other government offices on lingering questions on the matter, including whether there would be undue encroachment on the country’s sovereignty and the powers of its functioning judicial system.