US senators: PHL anti-drug war a disguise for ‘mass atrocities’

Three United States senators have called the US Department of State to  review its process of extending aid to the Philippines amid what they call "a campaign of mass atrocities" by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a letter dated December 22, 2016, the US senators said, "We write to express grave concern about the campaign of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations by the government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte under the guise of his so-called 'War on Drugs.'"

The letter was addressed to Assistant Secretary William Brownfield of the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

State Dept Philippines Drug War Letter by gmanews on Scribd

Senators Edward Markey, Marco Rubio, and Christopher Coons signed the letter.

It cited reports of "at least 2,000 extrajudicial killings. Another 3,800 deaths are reportedly the result of inadequately investigated homicides believed to be connected to the campaign."

They said Duterte's war on drugs "appears to be a campaign of mass atrocities thinly disguised as a response to a public health emergency."

Also, they insisted that drug addiction was not a "moral failing but rather a chronic disease." They lamented that Duterte himself admitted to having carried out killings himself while he was still mayor of Davao City.

They also criticized Duterte's pledge "to kill another 20,000 to 30,000 people, many simply because they suffer from a drug disorder."

The senators said the US should ensure that the financial aid being provided by the US to the Philippines will not be used to support crimes against humanity.

"We urge the US to denounce these horrific violations of basic human rights and ensure that no foreign assistance is being provided to support egregious acts against humanity," the senators wrote.

They cited US Secretary of State John Kerry's pledge of $32 million in funding for training and law enforcement assistance, which Duterte earlier welcomed.

However, the US senators said Duterte's war on drugs "raises serious concerns about the legality and appropriateness of the $32 million in dedicated funds."

They asked for answers from the State Department on the queries: how the US tracks the use of funds, how the US ensures that none of the funds are being used for EJKs, and how the US is helping the Philippines remedy the drug crisis.

The senators' call came after the Philippines lost its chance to receive a multi-million dollar development grant due to US concerns on “rule of law and civil liberties.” 

The Millennium Challenge Corporation earlier this month deferred a vote on the reselection of the Philippines for the aid after the first grant or compact of $434 million expired in May this year.

In response, Duterte told the US to eat its money, saying the Philippines can survive without the US. "Kainin na ninyo yang dollar ninyo! Letse kayo!" the president said. —LBG, GMA News