The 1987 Republic of the Philippines Constitution’s Bill of Rights Article III, Section 1 states that No

person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be
denied the equal protection of the laws.

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law: Meaning that it
emphasizes the principle of due process, which requires that legal proceedings and actions by the
government must be fair, reasonable, and according to established rules and procedures. It ensures that
individuals cannot be arbitrarily deprived of their life, liberty, or property without a lawful basis and a
fair opportunity to be heard. Essentially, this clause prevents arbitrary actions by the government that
could infringe upon an individual's rights.

Nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws: This part of the provision guarantees
that all individuals, regardless of their status, are entitled to equal protection under the law. It prohibits
discrimination and mandates that the law must be applied equally and impartially to all individuals. This
principle ensures that no one is treated unfairly or unjustly based on characteristics such as race, gender,
religion, social status, or political affiliation.

HUMAN RIGHTS ORG.com published an article on March 2, 2017, regarding the War on Drugs which is
titled “License to kill” The Article cited evidences as to how the “War on Drugs” or The Anti-Druga
campaign propaganda of the Late President Rodrigo Duterte instilled the idea that killing on sight are
justified even if the person is still a suspect and have not yet proven guilty by the court of law and have
not yet undergo due process.

“Since taking office on June 30, 2016, Duterte and other senior officials have been outspoken in support
of a nationwide campaign to kill drug dealers and users, while denying or downplaying the illegality of
police actions. For instance, on August 6, Duterte warned drug dealers: “My order is shoot to kill you. I
don’t care about human rights; you better believe me.” He praised the soaring body count of victims of
police killings as proof of the “success” of his “war on drugs. “

These caused the wide spread of Extra-judicial killings where the Philippine National Police along with
private masked armed forces have repeatedly carried out extrajudicial killings of drug suspects, and then
falsely claimed self-defense. They plant guns, spent ammunition, and drug packets on their victims’
bodies to implicate them in drug activities.

Philippine police are falsifying evidence to justify unlawful killings in a “war on drugs” that has caused
more than 7,000 deaths, Human Rights Watch said on March 2, 2017. President Rodrigo Duterte and
other senior officials have instigated and incited killings of mostly urban poor in a campaign that could
amount to crimes against humanity.

“On the afternoon of October 14, 2016, four masked gunmen stormed the Manila home of Paquito
Mejos, a 53-year-old father of five who worked as an electrician on construction sites. An occasional user
of shabu, a methamphetamine, Mejos had turned himself in to local authorities two days earlier after
learning he was on a “watch list” of drug suspects. The gunmen asked for Mejos, who was napping
upstairs. “When I saw them with their handguns going upstairs,” a relative said, “I told them, ‘But he has
already surrendered to the authorities!’ They told me to shut up, or I would be next.”

Since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June 2016, his administration has waged a controversial
and widely criticized campaign against illegal drugs. This campaign has been marked by thousands of
extrajudicial killings, where suspects, often alleged drug users or small-time dealers, have been
summarily executed by both law enforcement officers and unidentified assailants.

These extrajudicial killings violate Article III, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution, which guarantees
the right to life, liberty, and security of person. The killings occur outside the bounds of due process and
the rule of law, denying suspects the right to a fair trial and legal recourse.

Right to Life: This encompasses the inherent right of every person to exist and be protected from
arbitrary deprivation of life. It safeguards against extrajudicial killings, summary executions, and any
actions that threaten or extinguish an individual's life without due process of law.

Right to Liberty: This guarantees the freedom of individuals from arbitrary arrest, detention, or
imprisonment. It includes safeguards such as the right to be informed of the reasons for arrest, the right
to legal counsel, the right to be brought before a competent judicial authority, and the right to a fair trial.