Lesson 1: History of NSTP Republic Act 7077 – AFP Reservist Act of 1991
1991 - the congress passed the RA 7077, the Citizen Armed Forces
National Service Training Program (NSTP)
▪ Republic Act 9163 of 2001 (NSTP RA 9163 of 2001)
▪ a civic education and defense preparedness program for
students instituted by the Government of the Philippines
on January 5, 2000 by virtue of Republic Act 9163,
otherwise known as the "National Service Training
Program (NSTP) Act of 2001.
National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC)
▪ NSRC (Filipino: Panlaáng Hukbo ng Pambansang
Paglilingkod) RA 10121, is a unit composed of graduates
of the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and
Literacy Training Service (LTS) components of the
National Service Training Program, a civic education and
defense preparedness program in the Philippines.
Members of this corps may be tapped by the state for
literacy and civic welfare activities.
▪ In 2010 the NSRC was mandated to be accredited and
mobilized for the delivery of disaster risk reduction
programs and activities.
Background and History
▪ NSTP was also known as "An Act Establishing the National
Service Training Program (NSTP) for Tertiary Level
Students, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No.
7077 and Presidential Decree no. 1706, and for other
Purposes" or Republic Act No. 9163. It was signed into
law in January 23, 2002 amidst the various calls of
dissenting sectors for its abolition or reform.
▪ It invoked the constitutional provision regarding the "duty
of the state to serve and protect its citizens," specifically
Article II (Declaration of Principles and State Policies),
Section 2, which states that "The prime duty of the
government is to serve and protect the people.”
▪ The government may call upon the people to defend the
state, and in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be
required under conditions provided by law, to render
personal military or civil service. This is the same
principles that created and sustained the Reserve Officers
Training Corps. It also aimed at enhancing civic
consciousness and defense preparedness in the youth by
developing the ethics of service and patriotism while
undergoing training in any of its three (3) program
components.
LEGAL MANDATES
o Executive Order number 59 of 1967
o Presidential Degree No. 1706 ( National Service Law)
o REPUBLIC ACT 7077 (AFP Reservist Act of 1991) otherwise known
as "Citizen Armed Forces or Armed Forces of the Philippines
Reservist Act.“
o REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163 (NSTP Act of 2001) an act establishing
the “NSTP ”
EO 59 & Presidential Decree 1706
1967 - President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Executive Order
number 59 making ROTC mandatory at all educational institutions
with enrollment of at least 250 students.
1980 - President Marcos promulgated Presidential Decree 1706,
the National Service Law which made National Service ( Civic
Welfare Service, Law Enforcement Service and Military) mandatory
for all Filipino citizens.
of the Philippines Reservist Act.
SECTION 38. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). – Military
training for students enrolled in colleges, universities and similar
institutions of learning is mandatory pursuant to the provisions of
the National Defense Act and the 1987 Constitution.
SECTION 39. Establishment of ROTC Units in Schools. – At such
colleges, universities and similar institutions of learning that request
for the conduct of military training in their institutions , there shall
be established and maintained Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
units as the Secretary of National Defense may approve, which
shall conduct military training for the students of such institutions
for the purpose of producing enlisted and officers reservists
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)
Precedents: There have been several legal precedents to the
National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001. These include:
❖ Commonwealth Act No. 1
- Main article: National Defense Act of 1935
- known as the "National Defense Act", was enacted by the
National Assembly of the Philippines on 21 December 1935. It
provided for obligatory military service for all male citizens of
ages between 18 and 30.
❖ Presidential Decree No. 1706
- known as the "National Service Law", was signed into law
on 8 August 1980. It made national service obligatory for all
Filipino citizens and specified three categories of national service:
civic welfare service, law enforcement service and military
service.
❖ Republic Act 7077
- known as the "Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines
Reservist Act", was enacted by the 8th Congress of the
Philippines on 27 June 1991. The Reservist Act provided for
organization, training and utilization of reservists, referred to in the
Act as "Citizen Soldiers". The primary pool of manpower for the
reservist organization are graduates of the Reserve Officers'
Training Corps basic and advance courses.
❖ Republic Act 9163
- known as National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of
2001. Section 2 of RA 9163 affirmed that it is the prime duty of the
government to serve and protect its citizens. In turn, it shall be
the responsibility of the citizens to defend the security of the
require each citizen to render personal, military or civil service.
✓ Rule/Section 1. Guiding Principles
While it is the prime duty of the government to serve and
protect its citizens, in turn it shall be the responsibility of all citizens
to defend the security and promote the general welfare of the State
and in fulfillment thereof, the government may require each citizen
to render personal, military or civil service.
✓ Rule/Section 2. Role of the Youth
a. In recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation-
building, the State shall promote civic consciousness among them
and shall develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and
social well-being. It shall inculcate the ideals of patriotism,
nationalism and advance their involvement in public and civic
affairs.
b. As the most valuable resource of the nation, they shall be
motivated, trained, organized and involved in military, literacy,
civic welfare programs and other similar endeavors in the service of
the nation.
 ✓ Rule III. Program Implementation
Section 4. COVERAGE – All incoming Students, MALE and
FEMALE enrolled in any baccalaureate degree course and in at least
two (2) year technical vocational courses or associate courses in
public and private education institutions shall be required to
complete one (1) of the NSTP components as requisite for
graduation
Components of NSTP
Under the NSTP Program, both male and female college students
of any baccalaureate degree course or technical vocational course
in public or private educational institutions are obliged to undergo
one of three program components for an academic period of two
semesters. The students, however, are free to choose which
particular program component to take. The three NSTP Program
components are:
Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS)
This program component is designed to provide students with
activities contributory to the general welfare and betterment of life
of the members of the community especially those developed to
improve social welfare services.
Literacy Training Service (LTS)
This program component is designed to train students in
teaching literacy and numeracy skills to schoolchildren and out-of-
school youths. The hope is to continue learning on a peer - to - peer
interaction.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
This program component is designed to provide military
education and training for students to mobilize them for national
defense preparedness. This is also a glimpse for young people to see
how military life is and encourage them into service.
Graduates of the ROTC program component are organized
into the Citizen Armed Force, while graduates of the LTS
and CWTS program components are organized into the
National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) administered by
the Department of National Defense, the Commission on
Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority
Seven (7) Pillars of NSTP:
S.E.R.V.I.C.E
S - safety/Security
E - Education
R - Recreation
V - Values
I - Integrity
C - Care of Health
E – Environment
Statistics
According to the Commission on Higher Education, over a ten-year
period from 2002-2012 the CWTS component has produced
10,614,000 graduates, the highest among the three NSTP
components. This is followed by the ROTC component, with
1,435,000 AFP reservists and the LTS component with 538,700
graduates.
Lesson 2: Philippine Constitution
The state shall give priority to education, science and technology
arts, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism accelerate social
progress, and promote total human liberation and development.
Art II section 17
Article XIV section 2 They shall inculcate patriotism and
nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights,
appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical
development of the country, teach the rights and duties of
citizenship strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral
character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative
thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge and
promote vocational efficiency
Citizenship Training
The precept that democracy is the government of the people by
the people and for the people has always been reiterated. If college
students are properly motivated and provided with adequate
opportunities to develop their civic consciousness within
themselves, in turn they will be channeled to their greater service of
participation in nation building. Hopefully from them will emerge
the country's great leader, decision makers, productive workers and
other development catalyst.
The Constitution mandates citizenship training and education of
the Filipino youth that should commence as early as the elementary
grade and continue through high school up to college. The 1987
Constitution of the Philippines has ushered in a new direction in the
citizenship training and education of the young Filipinos in order that
they may become versatile and upright citizens of the nation. This
can be gleaned from specific responsibilities of the State in
guaranteeing quality education provided in Article II Sec. 17.

These particular objectives aptly pronounce the aim of
educational system which provide broad general education that will
assist each individual in the peculiar ecology of his own society.
a) Are self actualize and integrally developed human beings
imbued with a sense of human dignity.
b) Are social beings with a sense of responsibility for their
community and environment.
c) Are productive persons who contribute to the economic
security and development of the family and the nation.
d) As citizens they must have a deep sense of nationalism
and committed to the program of the nation as well as
the entire world community through global solidarity.
e) Manifest in actual life an abiding faith in God as a
reflection of his spiritual being.
From this perspective of the educational objectives, we can say that
education is being utilized by the government as a training ground for the
preservation of philosophy, political thoughts and ideals of the State.
Citizenship Training
❖ The youth in their college years are expected to become
already conscious and involve themselves in the public and
community affairs of the nation.
❖ The very significant role of the youth in nation building is
Constitutionally recognize and promoted and was clearly
stipulated under Article II Sec. 13.
❖ "The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation building and shall promote and protect their physical,
moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well being. It shall
inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism and encourage
their involvement in public and civic affairs." Art II Sec 13
PREAMBLE
- A preamble is a brief introduction to a speech, like the
Preamble to the Constitution that starts out "We the People of the
United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...do ordain
and establish this Constitution."
What is the importance of preamble in the Philippine Constitution?
The preamble of the Constitution provides that we should
establish a Government which shall "conserve and develop our
patrimony." Our "patrimony" includes our public forests,
mangroves, wildlife, and flora and fauna which should be conserved,
protected and renewed.
PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
- The Constitution of the Philippines is the constitution or
supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines.
- Its final draft was completed by the Constitutional
Commission on October 12, 1986, and was ratified by a
nationwide plebiscite on February 2, 1987. Approved by the 1986
Constitutional Commission on October 12, 1986, the 1987
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines was presented to
President Corazon C. Aquino on October 15, 1986. It was ratified
on February 2, 1987 by a plebiscite.
➢ Created: October 12, 1986
➢ Ratified: February 2, 1987
➢ Author(s): Constitutional Commission of 1986
What are the 3 branches of the Philippine government and their
functions?
• This system revolves around three separate and sovereign
yet interdependent branches: the legislative branch (the
law-making body), the executive branch (the
lawenforcing body), and the judicial branch (the law-
interpreting body). Executive power is exercised by the
government under the leadership of the president.
➢ Legislative – Makes laws (Congress, comprised of the
House of Representatives and Senate)
➢ Executive – Carries out laws (president, vice president,
Cabinet, most federal agencies)
➢ Judicial – Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts)
What is the purpose of Philippine constitution?
- Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the
integrity of the national territory.
- A constitution provides the basis for governance in a
country, which is essential to making sure that everyone's
interests and needs are addressed.
- It determines how laws are made, and details the process
by which the government rules.
Why is it important to study Philippine Constitution?
- The Philippine Constitution is important because it
protects our rights. It enables us to have justice and live a
beautiful life. It helps us to know our limitations and the
right things we should do in order for us to become a good
citizen.
- Studying the Constitution is important because each
generation needs to know not only the rights and
privileges granted by the Constitution, but also the
obligations of its citizens.
What is the importance of the constitution to students?
- It is important for students to learn the basic rules that
govern their society, from local government up to the
national government and how government is supposed to
operate at every level, including those in between
BILL OF RIGHTS
Article III of the Philippine Constitution is the Bill of Rights. It
establishes the relationship of the individual to the State and
defines the rights of the individual by limiting the lawful powers of
the State. It is one of the most important political achievements of
the Filipinos.
Concomitantly, the constitution too, has explicit provisions on
the rights and privileges of the Filipino citizens. Being a member of
the citizens of the world, our human rights were recognized in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Classification of citizens'
rights from the general point of view the rights of the citizen may be
classified into:
A. Human Rights
B. Political Rights
C. Constitutional Rights
HUMAN RIGHTS
Rights which are God-given. Among these rights which the
United Nation also recognize and are embodied in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (December 10, 1948) are the
following:
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
Rights are rights granted and guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Constitutional rights, which the Filipino citizen enjoy are
enumerated in Section - 1-22 Article III of the 1987 Constitution, as
follows:

1. All person are born free and equal in dignity and rights 1. No person shall be deprived of life liberty or property
2. Every person has the right to life liberty and pursuits of without due to process of law
happiness 2. Equal protection of the law
3. No person shall be held in perpetual bondage or 3. Right to private property
slavery 4. Right to be secured from unreasonable search, seizures,
4. No person shall be subjected to torture or cruel and arrest
punishment 5. Inviolability of private correspondence and communication
5. All person are equal before the law irrespective of 6. Any evidence obtained in violation of the privacy of
their color, race, creed, and social status communication
6. All person are born free and equal in dignity and rights 7. Freedom of residence and travel
7. Every person has the right to life liberty and pursuits of 8. Right to access to government records and documents
happiness 9. Right to form associations or societies not contrary to law
8. No person shall be held in perpetual bondage or 10. Freedom of Religion
slavery 11. Freedom of Speech
9. No person shall be subjected to torture or cruel 12. Freedom of Assembly
punishment 13. Right to petition the government for redress of grievances
10. All person are equal before the law irrespective of 14. No law granting titles of nobility can be enacted
their color, race, creed, and social status 15. No law impairing contracts can be passed
11. All person have the same rights to choose their 16. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall promulgated
residence 17. No imprisonment for debt or failure to pay poll tax
12. Every person has the right to education 18. Freedom from slavery or involuntary servitude
13. Every person has the right to have a job 19. Privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
14. It is the right of every person to marry and rear a 20. Right to speedy trial in court
family 21. No person shall be held in crime without due process of
15. All persons have the right to choose their own religion law
22. No excessive bail for suspected persons
- The protection of human rights and the basic individual 23. Accused person shall be presumed innocent until they are
freedom stems from the recognition and appreciation of proven guilty
the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of 24. No person shall be forced to be witness against himself
human family which is the very foundation of freedom, 25. No excessive fines shall be imposed and no cruel
justice and peace in the world punishment inflicted
26. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for
POLITICAL RIGHTS the same offense 27. Free access to court for penniless
Rights which are those granted by man-made law which the people
citizens fully enjoy. Among these political rights are the following:
- The Bill of Rights itself is the declaration and enumeration
1. Right to vote in election of individual rights arid privileges which the Constitution
2. Right to hold public office has been designed to protect, it is a charter of liberties and
3. Right to assemble and discuss political issues the basis of the social importance to a democratic and
affecting the people welfare republican state. Thus, as a CWTS cadets, you must be
4. Right to petition the government for redress of familiar with your rights and privileges. Any abuse of
grievances these rights by an individual violates the law and shall be
5. Right to protection from unreasonable arrest and dealt with by the court for the equal disposal of justice
seizure
6. Right to fair and speedy trial What are the 5 basic human rights?
7. Right to own private property
8. Right to travel in the country and in foreign lands 1. International Bill of Rights
9. Freedom of Speech 2. The right to equality and freedom from discrimination.
10. No imprisonment for failure to pay debt or poll tax 3. The right to life, liberty, and personal security.
4. Freedom from torture and degrading treatment.
- The essence of associative living is the order and harmony. 5. The right to equality before the law.
Every civilize society shuns chaos and conflict, which tries to 6. The right to a fair trial.
avoid by organizing in a state with a system of government 7. The right to privacy.
that reflects the peoples shared values to achieve peace 8. Freedom of belief and religion.
individual rights are reasonable controlled by laws. When 9. Freedom of opinion.
these laws are enforced and applied to all justice is
dispensed.
Philippine Flag - Republic Act 8491
- Republic Act 8491, or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the
Philippines,” mandates that reverence and respect shall be
accorded at all times to the Philippine flag, the national
anthem and other national symbols that embody the
country's ideals and traditions, and express the principles of
sovereignty and national
What are the prohibited acts in the Philippine flag code?
This is the most obvious, but apparently needs emphasis: you
shall not mutilate, deface, defile, trample, cast any contempt or act
of omission that will dishonor the flag.
What is the punishment for disrespecting the Philippine national
flag?
Some of the penalties that may be imposed for violation of the
flag law are as follows:
1. after proper notice and hearing, “public censure,” which
shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general
circulation; and
2. upon conviction by the proper trial court, a fine of P5,000
to P20,000 or imprisonment for up to 1 year
What is the Philippines national motto?
4M - The national Motto shall be “MAKA-DIYOS, MAKA-TAO,
MAKAKALIKASAN AT MAKABANSA.”
(Filipino for "For God, People, Nature, and Country" or "For the
Love of God, People, Nature, and Country") is the national motto of
the Philippines.
TRIVIA:
1. Is it disrespectful for a civilian to salute a soldier?
- Well, it's not. "The issue with saluting veterans is
if you're a civilian, you really shouldn't be doing it," Siegal
said. "In the military, saluting is a part of ceremony and it's
very prescriptive. If you're not in uniform, you can't salute,“
2. Who is the mother of the Philippine Flag?
- Doña Marcela Mariño Agoncillo (Mariño y
Coronel;) June 24, 1859 – May 30, 1946) was Filipina
renowned as the principal seamstress of the first and
official flag of the Philippines, gaining her the title of "The
Mother of the Philippine Flag.“
3. How old is the Philippines?
- The Philippines takes its name from Philip II,
who was king of Spain during the Spanish colonization of
the islands in the 16th century. Because it was under
Spanish rule for 333 years and under U.S. tutelage for a
further 48 years, the Philippines has many cultural
affinities with the West.
4. What is the original name of the Philippines?
- Las Islas Filipinas. In 1543, Spanish explorer Ruy
López de Villalobos named the archipelago Las Islas
Filipinas in honor of Philip II of Spain. In 1565, the first
Hispanic settlement in the archipelago was established,
and the Philippines became part of the Spanish Empire for
more than 300 years.
Philippine Flag Laws You Didn’t Know You Are Breaking
1. Adding text, pictures, designs, or marks on the flag or any
image of the flag.
2. Wearing the flag on your clothing, especially on shoes.
3. Displaying the flag front of a building or office occupied by
foreigners.
4. Printing, painting, or attaching a representation of the flag
on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and similar items.
5. Wearing the flag in whole or in part as costume or uniform.
6. Displaying the flag in bars, clubs, and casinos or any place
where frivolity prevails.
7. Using the flag on your brand or business labels.
8. Displaying the flag under any picture.
9. Hanging the flag horizontally on the wall.
10. Damaging the flag.
What is 8491?
- 8491 or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,” which
prescribes the proper display and usage of the Philippine flag
and the proper singing of the Philippine anthem. As symbols
of our nation, utmost reverence and respect shall at all times
be accorded to them.
- 8491. AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL
FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER
HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINES. Be it
enacted by the Senate and Home of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1
History of the Philippine Flag
During his exile in Hong Kong in 1897, General Emilio
Aguinaldo designed the Philippine flag as it looks today. Mrs.
Marcela de Agoncillo sewed it with the help of her daughter
Lorenza and Mrs. Josefina Herbosa de Natividad (niece of Dr. Jose
Rizal).
• It was made of silk with a white triangle at the left
containing a sunburst of eight rays at the center, a five-
pointed star at each angle of the triangle, an upper stripe
of dark blue, and a lower stripe of red.
• The white triangle stands for equality and fraternity;
• the upper blue stripe for peace, truth and justice;
• and the lower red stripe for patriotism and valor.
• The sunburst of eight rays inside the triangle represented
the first eight provinces that took up arms against Spain.
The three stars symbolize the three major island groups
of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The flag which Mrs. Agoncillo made in Hongkong was taken to
the Philippines by General Aguinaldo. It was hoisted officially at
Kawit on June 12, 1898, in connection with the proclamation of
Philippine independence. From that date, it has served as the
National Flag of the Philippines.
What is the standard size of flag?
• 3'x5‘ - The usual size of a flag used at home is 3'x5'.
• A casket flag is 9-1/2'x5'.
The table below shows the appropriate size flag to fly on flagpoles of
several heights. According to Executive Order 10834, official flags
(not personal flags) must meet these standards.
What does the eight rays represent?
The 8 rays of the sun of the flag symbolizes the provinces of;
✓ Manila,
✓ Cavite,
✓ Bulacan,
✓ Pampanga,
✓ Nueva Ecija,
✓ Tarlac,
✓ Laguna
✓ Batangas.
The latter group were the first to be placed under Martial Law by
Spain when the Philippine Revolution began.
Where is the original Philippine Flag?
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Without the original netting that
held it, the flag first flown by Gen Emilio Aguinaldo 115 years ago
would be in tatters. Delicate as it is, however, that independence
flag, the one sewn by Marcela Agoncillo and Rizal's niece in
Hongkong – is on display at a museum in Baguio City.
Anti Terrorism Law
MANILA – Republic Act (RA) 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act,
signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, aims to protect life,
liberty, and property from terrorism deemed as “inimical and
dangerous to the national security of the country and to the
welfare of the people.”
➢ It was created December 18, 2001
RA – 11479
➢ On July 3, 2020, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed into
law Republic Act No. 11479 or The Anti- Terrorism Act of
2020 (“Anti-Terrorism Act”).
➢ The Anti-Terrorism Act repealed the Human Security Act
of 2007 (“Human Security Act”), which was previously the
governing law on acts of terrorism in the Philippines. The
Anti Terrorism Act took effect on July 22, 2020, fifteen (15)
days after its complete publication in the Manila Bulletin
on July 6, 2020.
➢ As of August 6, 2020, twenty-five (25) petitions seeking to
declare the AntiTerrorism Act unconstitutional, either
partially or in its entirety, have been filed with the
Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Acts of terror defined
Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, terrorism is committed by any
person who, within or outside of the Philippines, and regardless of
the stage of execution:
1. Engages in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury
to any person, or endangers a person’s life;
2. Engages in acts intended to cause extensive damage or
destruction to a government or public facility, public place or
private property;
3. Engages in acts intended to cause extensive interference with,
damage or destruction to critical infrastructure;
4. Develops, manufactures, possesses, acquires, transports,
supplies or uses weapons, explosives or of biological, nuclear,
radiological or chemical weapons; and
5. Release of dangerous substances, or causing fire, floods or
explosions
Terrorism, as defined above, shall not include advocacy,
protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial or mass action, and
other similar exercises of civil and political rights, which are not
intended to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, to
endanger a person’s life, or to create a serious risk to public safety.
Drug Education
The prevalence of illegal drug use in the Philippines is lower
than the global average, according to the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
ABSTRACT
When Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte assumed office in 2016,
his government launched an unprecedented campaign against illegal drugs.
The drug problem in the Philippines has primarily been viewed as an issue of
law enforcement and criminality, and the government has focused on
implementing a policy of criminalization and punishment. The escalation of
human rights violations has caught the attention of groups in the Philippines
as well as the international community. The Global Health Program of the
Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), a nonprofit network of 50
universities in the Pacific Rim, held its 2017 annual conference in Manila. A
special half-day workshop was held on illicit drug abuse in the Philippines
which convened 167 participants from 10 economies and 21 disciplines. The
goal of the workshop was to collaboratively develop a policy statement
describing the best way to address the drug problem in the Philippines,
taking into consideration a public health and human rights approach to the
issue.
BACKGROUND
When Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte assumed office on June
30, 2016, his government launched an unprecedented campaign against
illegal drugs. He promised to solve the illegal drug problem in the country,
which, according to him, was wreaking havoc on the lives of many Filipino
families and destroying the future of the Filipino youth. He declared a “war
on drugs” targeting users, peddlers, producers and suppliers, and called for
the Philippine criminal justice system to put an end to the drug menace.
According to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) (the government
agency mandated to formulate policies on illegal drugs in the Philippines),
there are 1.8 million current drug users in the Philippines, and 4.8 million
Filipinos report having used illegal drugs at least once in their lives. More
than three-quarters of drug users are adults (91%), males (87%), and have
reached high school (80%). More than two thirds (67%) are employed. The
most commonly used drug in the Philippines is a variant of
methamphetamine called shabu or “poor man’s cocaine.” According to a
2012 United Nations report, the Philippines had the highest rate of
methamphetamine abuse among countries in East Asia; about 2.2% of
Filipinos between the ages 16–64 years were methamphetamines users.