HRW asks Marcos to stop 'bloodless' drug war and view drug problem as a public health emergency

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to adopt a public health approach in addressing the country's drug crisis and to officially end the so-called "bloodless" drug war inherited from the previous administration.

The international human rights organization stated that if Marcos wants to be recognized as a genuine advocate for human rights, his government must move away from the punitive drug war policy carried out under former President Rodrigo Duterte and begin addressing illegal drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal offense.

Despite claims of a more peaceful campaign, killings linked to drug enforcement operations continue, according to Carlos Conde, senior researcher with HRW's Asia Division. "Just because there are fewer deaths doesn't mean violence has stopped. Law enforcement is still killing people, and that should not be the case," Conde added.

HRW also cautioned against celebrating the reported decline in deaths too soon, emphasizing that true reform requires not only a policy shift but also accountability for past abuses.