Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a bold and striking statement, Vice President Sara Duterte has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding proof of the widely cited claim that 30,000 individuals fell victim to her father’s controversial war on drugs.
“Where is the system there of killing thousands?” she asked, her words reverberating across the political landscape.
This challenge comes at a crucial time, as the Duterte name continues to be scrutinized on the international stage for the deadly anti-drug campaign launched by former President Rodrigo Duterte. Human rights groups, independent watchdogs, and victims’ families have long asserted that the war on drugs left behind a bloodstained legacy of thousands of extrajudicial killings. Yet, Sara Duterte’s firm demand for verification raises the question: is this a genuine pursuit of truth, or a carefully calculated political move?
The Demand for Proof: A Strategic Deflection?
The Vice President’s insistence on proof signals a significant shift. When in power, the Duterte administration was often dismissive of human rights reports, waving them off as mere political propaganda. Yet now, Sara Duterte demands a structured, systematic presentation of evidence—seemingly an attempt to discredit critics who have long accused the Duterte government of orchestrating mass killings under the guise of law enforcement.
The numbers cited by rights organizations stem from a combination of government data, police records, and independent investigations. Even the Philippine National Police (PNP) officially acknowledges a lower, yet still deeply concerning, count of thousands of deaths. But the challenge posed by the Vice President suggests a larger game at play: shifting the burden of proof onto accusers while sidestepping moral and political responsibility.
Sara Duterte’s Political Balancing Act
Despite currently being in The Hague, Netherlands, Sara Duterte reassures the public that she remains committed to her duties as Vice President and as a mother. However, her continued absence from the country raises eyebrows. What role does she play in the unfolding drama at the International Criminal Court (ICC)? Is this a quiet retreat from political turbulence, or a strategic positioning for future ambitions?
Her calculated rhetoric suggests a leader adept at navigating the political battlefield. While defending the Duterte administration’s legacy, she simultaneously distances herself just enough to maintain plausible deniability should the tides turn against her father. This delicate balancing act hints at a long-term political strategy—one that keeps her at the center of power without being directly implicated in the controversies of the past administration.
Seeking the Truth or Silencing the Debate?
The Vice President’s demand for proof is not an isolated statement; it is a part of a broader effort to rewrite the narrative surrounding the war on drugs. By questioning the credibility of documented figures, she sows doubt among the public, potentially diluting the impact of international and local condemnation.
But the truth is out there—etched in the stories of orphaned children, grieving families, and human rights reports. The evidence does not lie in convenient government records alone but in the lived experiences of those who suffered under the iron fist of the war on drugs.
So, is this challenge a pursuit of factual accuracy, or a maneuver to absolve her father’s administration of responsibility? Until justice is served, the question remains: who will answer for the thousands who can no longer speak for themselves?
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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