Janette Garin MISLEADS in claiming that ‘not a single life was taken’ in Marcos’ anti-drug campaign

VERA Files
October 28, 2023

Multiple news reports quoted Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, deputy majority leader at the House of Representatives, saying that “not a single life” of suspected drug traffickers, peddlers and users was taken in the course of anti-drug operations under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.

This is misleading.

STATEMENT

Lauding the “humanity” of Marcos’ strategy in the fight against illegal drugs, Garin, a former secretary of the Health department, said:

“Not a single life of a drug user, peddler, or trafficker was taken. It’s a testament to the belief that bloodshed isn’t the answer to this crisis. This administration will not stand by and watch small-time drug users and street pushers face dire consequences while the major importers and suppliers of these illegal drugs operate with impunity.”

Source: Abante Tonite, Anong sey mo Digong? PBBM suwabe diskarte sa giyera vs droga, Oct. 15, 2023; Manila Bulletin, Ranking solons hail PBBM’s ‘bloodless drug war’ after Duterte hits House, Oct. 15, 2023; NET25, Bloodless Illegal Drug Campaign ni PBBM Suportado ng Liderato sa Kamara, Oct. 17, 2023

The same news reports quoted Surigao Del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, claiming that Marcos’ anti-drug campaign is “bloodless.”

(Read VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Surigao Del Norte lawmaker MISLEADS in claiming anti-drug campaign under Marcos is ‘bloodless’)

FACT

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported on Oct. 9 that the number of deaths from the agency’s anti-drug operations has gone down from 40 in 2020 – 2021 to 19 in 2022 – 2023.

Moreover, the Dahas Project of the Third World Studies Center in the University of the Philippines recorded 438 drug-related killings from June 30, 2022 to Oct. 15, 2023. According to its database, 195 of these involved state agents and 145 had “unknown” assailants who remain at large.