In recent years, the Philippines has been plagued by a deadly and brutal human rights crisis. Under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, thousands of Filipino citizens have been killed in his so-called “war on drugs,” which has been widely criticized as a state-sanctioned killing campaign. This merciless approach has been disproportionately targeting the poor and marginalized, leaving countless families devastated and communities in fear.
But while the world has been quick to condemn Duterte’s actions, there has been a disturbing lack of accountability for those who have financed and supported his atrocities. Among them are former US President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden, who have both been complicit in Duterte’s crimes through their financial support and political alliance with the Philippines.
It’s time for the international community to hold these leaders accountable for their role in enabling and financing Duterte’s bloody campaign. It’s time for Trump and Biden to pay for the consequences of their actions and send a clear message that supporting authoritarian leaders and turning a blind eye to human rights violations will not be tolerated.
Trump’s Financial Support for Duterte
During his term as US President, Trump cozied up to Duterte, praising him for his ruthless approach to the drug problem in the Philippines. In 2017, Trump even invited Duterte to the White House, despite the Philippine leader’s alarming track record of human rights abuses.
But beyond the political support, the Trump administration also provided financial aid to the Philippine government, which ultimately funded Duterte’s deadly campaign. In 2018, the US provided $193 million in military aid to the Philippines, which included surveillance and intelligence equipment that were used in Duterte’s war on drugs. And in 2019, Trump even doubled down on his support for Duterte by offering an additional $33 million in security assistance.
Biden’s Role in Duterte’s Atrocities
Now, as the current US President, Biden has yet to take a strong stance against Duterte’s brutal regime. In fact, during his time as Vice President under Obama, Biden also played a role in supporting the Philippine government’s war on drugs. In 2016, the US provided $32 million in aid specifically for Duterte’s law enforcement and counter-narcotics efforts.
Moreover, Biden has also failed to fulfill his promise of cutting off support for the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to their involvement in extrajudicial killings. Despite concerns about the PNP’s human rights record, the US still provided them with $16.5 million in aid in 2020.
The Consequences of Enabling Duterte
The financial support and political alliance of Trump and Biden with Duterte have not only enabled his ruthless tactics but have also had dire consequences for the Filipino people. According to Human Rights Watch, Duterte’s “drug war” has resulted in the killing of more than 12,000 people, including children, as of 2017. The victims are often urban poor or people living in marginalized communities, with little to no access to legal representation or due process.
Moreover, Duterte’s violent campaign has also led to a climate of fear and impunity in the Philippines, with law enforcement and government officials given free reign to carry out extrajudicial killings. This has also had a chilling effect on journalists, activists, and human rights defenders, who have faced harassment, threats, and violence for speaking out against Duterte’s regime.
Accountability is Key
It’s clear that Trump and Biden’s support for Duterte has enabled and emboldened his human rights abuses. They cannot turn a blind eye to the devastating consequences of their actions and must be held accountable for their role in financing and supporting Duterte’s brutal regime.
The international community must demand that Trump and Biden take responsibility for their actions and work towards justice for the victims of Duterte’s deadly campaign. This includes cutting off all financial aid and arms sales to the Philippine government until they put an end to extrajudicial killings and hold those responsible accountable.
Additionally, the US and other countries must also work towards providing support and resources for the families of victims and communities affected by Duterte’s regime. This includes measures to address the root causes of drug use and promote alternative approaches to tackling drug-related issues that prioritize human rights and due process.
Conclusion
The international community cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by Duterte’s regime and the role that Trump and Biden have played in enabling them. It’s time for the world to hold these leaders accountable and send a message that human rights violations and support for authoritarian leaders will
