UNHRC probe shows need for more clarifications on war on drugs —expert

The looming probe of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the Duterte administration's war on drugs only shows that more questions need to be answered regarding this controversial policy, a political scientist said Sunday.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Dr. Dennis Blanco, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, gave an analysis on the government's bloody campaign against illegal drugs, a day before President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address.

According to Blanco, it is important to see whether the success of the war on drugs is measured based on the increase in the number of drug surrenderees or on the decrease of the amount of illegal substances available in the market.

"May mga katanungan din tungkol sa mga datos na 'yan. May mga conflicting reports mula sa human rights groups, meron din sa PNP (Philippine National Police)," he said.

"At ito ngang parating na probe o imbestigasyon ng United Nations Human Rights Council ay pagpapatunay na meron pang mga tanong tungkol sa tagumpay ng war on drugs," he added.

On Thursday last week, an Iceland-led resolution seeking a preliminary investigation into possible rights violation under the Duterte administration's war on drugs was adopted at the UNHRC forum in Geneva, Switzerland.

Eighteen countries voted in favor of the adoption of the resolution, while 14, including China, opposed it and 15 abstained.

While the policy drew criticism from some members of the international community, Blanco gave it a fair rating which, if measured using the grading system used in universities, is at 2 to 2.5.

"Masasabi natin na kung gagraduhan natin ang war on drugs, nasa 2 to 2.5. Kasi 'yung mga nakaraang kampanya, medyo may alegasyon na madugo, madahas, may paglabag sa karapatang pantao," Blanco said.

"Pero makikita natin ngayon na ni-recalibrate nila e. Fina-fine tune nila 'yung polisiya para mawala 'yung imahen, 'yung impresyon na ito ay isang bloody crackdown o may utter disregard of human rights. So nagiging subtle na 'yung dating ng ating war on drugs ng policy," he added.

Blanco also believes that despite the backlash, the administration's war on drugs would continue.

"Meron [kasi] tayong Pangulo na talagang ang kanyang agenda ay tough on crimes and drugs," he said.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea also said the war on drugs would remain "unrelenting" despite the decision of the UNHRC to conduct a probe into the deadly campaign. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News