GOVERNING THROUGH KILLING: THE WAR ON DRUGS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The War on Drugs defines Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency in the Philippines.

Although thousands have been killed since 2016, it continues to enjoy strong public
support.

How does Christianity respond? This question is pertinent given that religion has
played a prominent role as a civil society actor in the country. Duterte’s War on Drugs is
not only a policy issue. It is also moral. Speaking before policemen, the president declared
that “It’s my duty to destroy people who will destroy my country”. Duterte delivered this
speech in response to criticisms from the US and the European Union. But hardly anything
about it is novel. In fact, this is one of the president’s well-rehearsed lines, which bears a
strong moral overtone. Favoring retributive justice, Duterte is convinced that the death of
drug users is justifiable. At the same time, the war has become a duty for the nation,
which for him is under threat. When he revealed his plan to run years ago, Duterte
proclaimed that ‘if only to save this country, I can run for President’. The messianic
discourse has identified the enemy in the form of criminality and illegal drugs. Based on
national polls, these issues immediately displaced the public’s other top concerns during
the electoral campaign.