Lawyers representing families of victims of the Philippine government’s anti-drug campaign seek court protection before the Supreme Court, citing an internal Philippine National Police (PNP) policy they say continues to underpin the campaign more than a decade after its rollout. Human rights lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres of CenterLaw Philippines, along with affected families, file a manifestation and urgent motion for resolution in two consolidated petitions for writ of amparo. The petitions were first brought to the high court in 2017.
According to the filings, the case covers allegations involving 26 communities in Manila. The legal counsel argues that the PNP policy described as having a “double-barrel” approach remains in effect, and they ask the court to grant protection to families and communities that say they have been harmed in connection with the drug war.
The Supreme Court action sought in the pleadings focuses on securing remedies through writ of amparo, which is used for alleged violations of constitutional rights and threats to life, liberty, or security.
