“Wala namang ginawa yung anak ko. Buntis pa yung asawa niya. Andun ako. Lumaban daw, pero wala naman siyang ginawa. Mga 1 year and 2 months akong nakakulong. Ni wala akong hearing o kahit ano.”
“My son had done nothing wrong; even his wife was pregnant at the time. I was there. [They said] he resisted, but he actually didn’t do anything. I was imprisoned for 1 year and 2 months. I was not granted any hearing or whatsoever.”
It was nothing short of gruesome that night after night, the townsfolk of San Andres Bukid in Manila were roused by a frequent clamor, caused by armed men in civilian clothes who, much to the locals' dismay, were guarded by policemen in their own homes. Every household member had to be alert and on the lookout because it meant their lives were in danger, and any one of them could be next.
They could only partake in horror by peering from behind doors and windows as they witnessed atrocities such as forced entries, desperate begging, and incoherent cries for help, open fire, and then the piercing silence that followed. On one occasion, the bullet-riddled body of a man was dropped unscrupulously from a second-floor window, the police not realizing that he was still alive, barely breathing, and dying from blood loss.
“It was only a matter of time”,
figured those who were fortunate to see the light of day, so they instead padlocked their homes and made sure to troop out to the nearby Dagonoy market at nighttime, sleeping on top of tables, or inside parked jeepneys when it rained, and only going back to their shanties at the break of dawn. No one had the time to process that these were displays of a sheer disregard for human rights, for they were debilitated with fear. So they instead went on with their lives, preparing early for work and readying their children for school, as usual.
This was in 2017, only a year after Rodrigo Duterte assumed office, which signaled the Philippine National Police (PNP) to launch the two-pronged Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign Plan called Project Double Barrel, and assist the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in addressing the purported drug epidemic in the country.
“Tignan ang pinaka-puno ng problema ng droga. Karamihan, mga mahihirap na nasa baba ang target…Habulin dapat ang mga nagkasala. Kasuhan. Hindi pwedeng sabihin na patawad lang, kailangan may managot. Kailangan mabigyan ng danyos perwisyo, lalo na sa mga namatayan at naapektuhan ng kabuhayan.”
“Look into the root of the problem on drugs. Those on the poverty line are mostly being targeted…Go after those who are at fault. File cases. You can’t just apologize; someone has to be accountable. There must be reparations, especially for those who have lost their loved ones and had their livelihoods affected.”
While the campaign also involved the ‘Upper Barrel Approach’ directed at high-value targets (aptly called the Oplan High Value Targets or HVT), what became the notorious half of it was the ‘Lower Barrel Approach’, or what would be known as Oplan Tokhang. This method—the word being a portmanteau of toktok (knock) and hangyo (plead)—consisted mainly of a conduct of PNP-led house visits to ‘urge’ the surrender of ‘drug personalities’, the term used for street drug peddlers and users in the so-called War on Drugs. By the end of Duterte’s term, Oplan Tokhang claimed the lives of an estimated 30,000 casualties, most being small-time drug peddlers and slum-dwelling users, with a sixth of them openly killed in police operations.
Over time, San Andres Bukid became the ground zero of the unrighteous targeting of underprivileged communities, earning the reputation of a veritable “killing field”— Tokhang being proven synonymous to extrajudicial killings in the Drug War.
“This is the essence of our human rights work: To make people realize that fear can be conquered. That if fear is contagious, so is courage.”
On October 19, 2017, together with the Center for International Law (CenterLaw), thirty-nine (39) residents of San Andres Bukid petitioned to the Supreme Court a writ of amparo—protection against forced entries, illegal arrests of witnesses, and the rampant killings of unarmed, surrendering residents.
Thirty-three (33) victims from SAB were killed in twenty-five (25) incidents from July 5, 2016 to October 22, 2017 alone—their stories were compiled as part of thirty-five (35) witness accounts and included in the petition, with the residents working with CenterLaw on this suit, which is still pending up until today.
Empowerment
To continuously restore the peace of mind and security among townsfolk in the area, CenterLaw created Kwentong San Andres (KSA) as a voters education initiative.
With the goal of making the Drug War a key issue in the 2022 Presidential Elections, KSA encompassed three phases: the first, consisting of Pre-Seminar Field Research, Interviews, and Consultations aimed at soliciting the views and concerns of community members; the second, consisting of a two-part Workshop Series on what kind of government leaders they are looking for, as well as reparations they desire, in the form of “Pangarap/Letters”; and the third, on Information Dissemination and Publication, including the realigning of the CenterLaw website to reflect the KSA as a medium of amplifying the stories of the community.
With this initiative, CenterLaw aims for KSA to become an ongoing movement for community members to actively participate in—gathering their voices to create a stance of solidarity for the protection of the underprivileged and the poor—so that the memories from "The Killing Field" do not remain merely fragments of a tortured past but a landmark towards restoring the peace and safety of San Andres Bukid.
Preliminary Interviews
Conducted on March 4, 2022, KSA Phase 1 consisted of preliminary interviews or pre-seminar consultations, aimed at gathering the views and concerns of San Andres Bukid community members. The information collected in this phase was used to ensure that activities implemented in Phases 2 and 3 were relevant to the experiences and issues faced by the community members.
A total of 22 San Andres Bukid residents answered questions related to their current understanding of the drug war and their relationship to it, their thoughts on the role of drug war accountability in the national election and the next administration, and their views on other human rights issues that need to be highlighted. Some key points emerged from this phase:
The Current Pulse of the Drug War According to the Participants
In the rare occasions that the Drug War is discussed among community members, what comes to mind were the unwarranted arrests, police misconduct, and the lack of action from the Supreme Court in serving some form of justice to the victim’s families.
Many residents believed that then-President Duterte and the police were most accountable for the drug war, as they were directly responsible for the victims' deaths.
As to accountability, some remarks came out, including: that drug pushers and distributors must be held accountable; that instead of killing drug users, they should be given better means of livelihood, and that death should not be the price to pay for those involved in drugs; that no cases were being filed against the police and even then, the cases wouldn’t be enough.
The filing of the Petition for the Writ of Amparo by CenterLaw with the Supreme Court was noted as a turning point when killings and arrests stopped.
Some noted that drugs were still widespread and questioned why higher-level criminals were not arrested, with focus primarily on ground-level criminals.
The Participants’ Knowledge and Understanding of the Drug War, and Their Relationship Thereto
Locals perceived the drug war as inducing fear towards the police and government, violating their rights, and following a directive from the president.
All respondents agreed that the drug war was ineffective and that the drug problem persisted in San Andres Bukid and beyond.
Many participants were personally affected by the drug war, as it impacted their sense of security, community life, livelihood, and home life.
The constant fear motivated residents to learn about the law and their human rights, with some finding comfort in the idea that knowledge is safety.
The Participants Thoughts on the Role of Drug War Accountability in the National Election and Next Year’s Administration
Most agreed that the topic on the Drug War should be included in the debate, as they wanted to know the candidates’ feelings and perception of the Drug War, as well as the actions they plan to take. This would also educate other viewers, putting more emphasis on giving justice to the victims, and to the investigation of those who were accountable.
Participants expressed the need for local government officials to be more aware of the situation, to prioritize human rights, and to provide livelihood training and assistance.
They also called for the voices of the masses to be heard, for cases to be filed, and for the focus to shift towards manufacturers and those in power.
Participants emphasized the importance of taking action, not just talking, and considering religious beliefs when voting.
The Participants’ Views on Other Human Rights Issues that Need to Be Highlighted
Just some of the focal points that the participants saw as important human rights issues that need to be highlighted more are:
Two-Part Workshop Series
KSA Phase 2 transitioned from a Webinar and Workshop Series to a face-to-face Workshop in light of the eased quarantine restrictions in the Philippines and the preference of the community. The first session of Phase 2 was designed as a Storytelling Workshop, aiming to equip members of the San Andres Bukid community with the skills needed to navigate face-to-face and online spaces to discuss the drug war and other pertinent issues in view of the upcoming national elections.
PHASE 2.1
Held on March 26, 2022, the first session of Phase 2 included the following activities:
Talk on Why We Vote by Atty. Joel R. Butuyan
Atty. Joel R. Butuyan gave a pre-recorded talk entitled “A Fight for the Soul of our Nation” or “Ang Laban Para sa Kaluluwa ng ating Bayan” delivered in Filipino. He discussed six challenges the Philippines faces in the upcoming elections, namely:
Battle to Restore our People’s Sense of Right and Wrong
Battle to Banish the Medieval Thinking that Women are Inferior to Men
Battle to Fight Dictatorship and Promote Democracy
Battle to Defeat the Stranglehold of Pseudo Religions on our Government
Battle Between Collaborators of China and Protectors of Philippine Interest
Battle Between Truth and Fake News
Atty. Butuyan emphasized the importance of voting and choosing the right candidate in the upcoming elections, considering the stakes.
Talk on Fake News and Misinformation by Atty. Nicolene S. Arcaina
Atty. Nicolene Arcaina discussed the need to distinguish between truth and fake news, particularly in light of the upcoming elections, when misinformation is rampant. She provided examples, guidelines for differentiating truth from misinformation, and suggested actions participants could take when faced with fake news.
Candidate Checklist: Activity on What Is Important to Consider in Our Candidates
During this short activity, participants were asked to write down a word, phrase, or sentence stating the most important quality or qualification they consider when choosing a leader or evaluating candidates for the upcoming elections. Most participants listed characteristics or qualities as most important (e.g., honest, God-fearing, nationalistic, knowledgeable, etc.). A few mentioned platform agendas, such as job provision and plans to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
The facilitators synthesized these responses by noting that for the community, distinct qualities are sought in a leader. While education, past achievements, and candidates' platforms may not be as important, they should still be considered when selecting a candidate.
Writing Workshop: Sa Susunod Kong Pangulo
To conclude the session and draw from the other activities, participants were asked to write letters to their future president or "Sa susunod kong Pangulo," allowing them to share their messages with the future leaders to be elected in the upcoming elections. Volunteers also read their letters to the group. Participants effectively articulated their hopes for their future leaders in light of their experiences in San Andres Bukid.
Drawing Activities for Kids
Children who attended were provided with art materials for drawing and coloring. With their parents' permission, CenterLaw may use the drawings in the Final Report.
![Sa susunod kong pangulo ..
“Leny Robredo Solid”
Sana magkaroon lahat nang trabaho!
At mawala na ang Covid
At gumanda na ang pilipinas
At [pano] bumalik na sa dating masaya ang Pilipinas
English
To my next President …
“Leny Robredo solid”
I hope that everyone will have jobs,
That COVID-19 will disappear,
That the Philippines will become more beautiful,
and somehow we return back to being a happy country.](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/63f9529a225216b9c608e287/63ff5174c144e68362d69344_SSKP_1.jpg)
![Sa susunod kong Pangulo…
Sana kung sino man ang susunod na maupo bilang isang leader ng Bansa, ay meron silang salita at may gawa. Makatao at Maka-Bansa. Tulungan ang mga mahihirap na maiahon sa kahirapan at babaan ang [presyo ng] mga supplies ng pagkain at mga gagamitin pa ng tao. At maayos na plataporma sa bansa yun bang hindi makakasama at sa Karapatan pang tao. Sana mas manaig ang tama kesa mali.
Angel
English
To my next President
I hope that the next leader of our country have words and actions. Humane and care for our country. Help the poor get out of poverty and lower the cost of food and things that the people need. And a decent platforms in our country, that is not harmful and fair to our human rights. I hope that right will prevail over wrong.
Angel](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/63f9529a225216b9c608e287/63ff51a88853fc620fc140dc_SSKP_3.jpg)
PHASE 2.2
On April 5, 2022, the second session of Phase 2, focusing on Justice and Accountability (originally on Voter's Education, but omitted as the community has its own sessions for this), included the following activities:
Obtaining Consent and Release Approval from San Andres Bukid Community
CenterLaw obtained permission from individual members of the San Andres Bukid Community to use and publish their output for the Phase 2 activities in the final report. A Consent and Release form was distributed to the community. CenterLaw explained each item they sought consent to publish. Individual members were allowed to specify which items (original works, provided photographs, names, images) they permitted CenterLaw to publish.
Update on Supreme Court Case
Brief updates were given on the Amparo Petition filed before the Supreme Court, in which members of San Andres Bukid are petitioners. The community was informed that CenterLaw planned to submit a manifestation before the Supreme Court to provide updates on police urging the Court to decide the case before the elections.
Short Discussion on ICC Proceedings
A brief discussion on the current ICC proceedings was conducted. Updates on the ICC investigation into the Philippine situation and pointers on the Philippines' request for deferral were provided.
Talk on Types of Justice for Human Rights Violations by Atty. Ross Tugade
Atty. Ross Tugade gave a talk in Filipino entitled “Mga Uri ng Hustisya Para sa Mga Paglabag ng Karapatang Pantao” (The Different Kinds of Justice for Violations of Human Rights) covering the following topics:
Various ways to achieve Justice
Reparations as a means to achieve Justice
Different examples of Reparations in the Philippines and in Other Countries
Processing Activity led by Atty. Nicolene Arcaina
In this short activity, facilitators asked participants to answer the following questions as a community:
As a member of the community affected by the War on Drugs, what kinds of reparations do you wish to get from the government?
If reparations will come in the form of damages, what evidence should the government consider to process individual cases?
If a Claims Board was to be established, who should be members of the said Board?
If reparations will come in the form of admitting to guilt and apologizing for killing, who should admit and ask for forgiveness?
How should admitting to guilt and asking for forgiveness be done?
Final Writing Activity led by Atty. Sabrina Dayao
To round out Phase 2, a final creative writing activity was conducted. The community was encouraged to write in response to any of the following prompts:
If your deceased loved one was currently here, what would you wish to say to them?
What are your hopes for yourself, your family, the San Andres Bukid community, and the Philippines?
“Dapat matuloy ang ICC na kaso, para magkaroon ng takot ang gagawa ng karumal-dumal na gawain na patayin ang mga tao. Dahil alam nila na mananagot sila sa ICC. At wala na rin magbubuwis ng buhay, lalo na yung mga inosente tao, mga mahihirap.”
“The ICC probe must push through, so that fear must also be exacted to those with the gall to commit extrajudicial killings. Because they know the ICC will find them accountable. And so no one will risk their lives, especially those who are innocent, and impoverished.”
Information Dissemination and Publication
As of this writing, Centerlaw continues to take the initiative in seeking justice and sharing stories from the community members of San Andres Bukid as a glaring example of the ongoing battle to pursue human rights for victims of the Drug War, their families, and their loved ones.
As part of its Information Dissemination and Publication campaign, Centerlaw aims to amplify the stories of the community, sharing these accounts on a larger platform for more audiences to read and take action.
The following are the poems, essays and short creative works of the members of the San Andres Bukid, and the lawyers of CenterLaw reflecting the stories of the community:
