Extrajudicial killings in the Philippines: the case of the Duterte administration (2016–2022)

Abstract

The article examines the factors that shape the Philippine government’s liability for the extrajudicial killings committed during the 2016–2022 antidrug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. While there was no explicit state policy that ordered the outright killing of drug suspects, it is argued that the ambiguous operational procedures created the structural conditions that enabled widespread abuses. Drawing on news reports, human rights investigations, official memorandums, and documented cases, the analysis shows how flawed intelligence gathering, inconsistent implementation of police protocols, and a misunderstood voluntary surrender system contributed to misidentification, impunity, and lethal outcomes. The phenomenon of Duterte’s enduring public support is also discussed within the broader context of crime-ridden urban communities and populist political culture. Overall, the findings suggest that institutional weaknesses and permissive political rhetoric, rather than formal policy were central to facilitating the escalation of extrajudicial violence during the Philippines’ “War on Drugs”.