philippine drug war

MARKING one year since former President Rodrigo Duterte was brought to The Hague to face crimes against humanity charges, his defense team again reiterated the “betrayal” of the current administration.

In a message released on March 12, international lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, representing the former president, claimed that the incumbent administration has denied Duterte the opportunity to defend his legacy under Philippine law.

The statement did not specify the exact legal maneuvers or cases referred to, but focused heavily on the anniversary of the 2025 events.

Kaufman also took the opportunity to address the “many thousands” of supporters who have reached out via social media.

“We can assure everyone that the former President is made personally aware of every message received,” the statement read. “We can only beg forgiveness for not replying to each and every concerned person individually.”

Eyes on March 28

The defense team’s statement comes as the former president nears his 81st birthday on March 28, 2026. Kaufman urged the public to keep their expressions of support within the bounds of the law.

“Please channel your love and support for the former President lawfully and peacefully,” Kaufman said. “Let the former President’s 81st birthday be a day to remember.”

The statement marks a rare public update from the defense team, signaling a continued effort to maintain public engagement and solidify the former leader’s legacy amid ongoing legal and political challenges.

THE NEWLY designated director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI declared on Wednesday that the true benchmark of the government’s anti-drug campaign is the number of rehabilitated communities rather than the total arrests or fatalities.

Speaking at the Davao Peace and Security press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Atty. Benjamin Gaspi emphasized that the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) remains the agency’s primary holistic strategy.

“We cannot measure the success of the illegal drug program by the number of persons killed, the number of convictions, or the volume of seizures confiscated by enforcement agencies,” Gaspi told reporters.

“The success of the government’s program is measured by the number of barangays, municipalities, and provinces officially declared as drug-cleared.”

A “preservation-based” approach

Gaspi noted a significant shift in the operational philosophy of the current administration compared to the previous “bloody” drug war.

He highlighted that under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the focus has pivoted toward prevention, rehabilitation, and reformation.

“There is a difference in the program,” Gaspi explained. “The current administration seeks to preserve life through rehabilitation for those involved in drugs, while maintaining aggressive, intelligence-driven operations to ensure that those in illegal transactions are caught and successfully convicted in court.”

Intensified Intelligence and Border Security

As the new regional director, Gaspi outlined a roadmap to tighten the net around drug syndicates in the Davao Region through enhanced inter-agency cooperation. Key priorities include:

Intelligence Workshops: Collaborative sessions with other law enforcement agencies to map out and locate high-value drug personalities.
Border Controls: Intensified monitoring and operative presence at seaports and airports to intercept drug shipments.
Urban Operations: Scaled-up surveillance, buy-bust operations, and the execution of search warrants to control the local drug supply.

Gaspi maintained that by combining “surgical” law enforcement with community-based clearing, the agency can achieve a lasting, “insurgency-free” and “drug-free” status for the region.

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Defense team urges lawful support for Duterte’s upcoming birthday

PDEA XI chief: ‘Success measured by drug-free barangays, not body count’