“License to Kill”

V. International Response to Duterte’s “War on Drugs”
The escalation in unlawful killings associated with the “war on drugs,” as well as President
Duterte’s open defiance of international human rights standards and confrontational
stance towards his critics, has roiled the Philippines’ relationships with its closest Western
allies. Historically, the Philippines has had close relationships with the United States and
the countries of the European Union. In the face of persistent US pressure by the Obama
administration, Duterte has responded with profane and bombastic remarks. Those
reactions have included Duterte’s threats to curtail existing relationships and seek out
stronger ties with countries such as China and Russia, which have been much less critical
of drug-campaign abuses. 314
The United States
The US government, the former colonial power and historically one of the closest allies of
the Philippines, was slow to criticize the anti-drug campaign. Once it did so, however, it
has become a persistent critic and taken direct steps to reduce US support for the
Philippine National Police, though not to other security forces. Initial reports indicate,
however, that this could change dramatically under President Donald Trump.
The United States is a significant donor to the Philippines, committing some US$180 million
in assistance for the 2017 fiscal year, much of it in the form of direct assistance to the
Philippine security services, including the provision of weapons and training to the police. 315
On July 27, 2016, then-US Secretary of State John Kerry pledged $32 million in “training
and services” to the Philippine National Police. 316 Four months later, after evidence of
314 Hannah Beech, “How Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is shaking up the South China Sea,” TIME, October 27, 2016,
http://time.com/4547711/philippines-rodrigo-duterte-south-china-sea/.
315 Jose Katigbak, “US to provide $180-M aid to Philippines next year,” Philippine Star, October 8, 2016,
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/10/08/1631489/us-provide-180-m-aid-philippines-next-year.
316 Alexis Romero, “US pledges $32M to Philippine law enforcement,” Philstar.com, July 27, 2016,
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/07/27/1607298/us-pledges-32m-philippine-law-enforcement.
97 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | MARCH 2017