Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has raised concerns about the lack of due process in the anti-drug campaign carried out during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. In a statement posted on social media, Enrile questioned whether individuals affected by the “Tokhang” operations and the broader drug war were presumed innocent before being subjected to fatal encounters.
Referring to the Bill of Rights in the 1987 Constitution, Enrile underscored that every citizen is entitled to legal protection and fair treatment under the law. He expressed doubt over whether these constitutional rights were upheld for those who lost their lives in the anti-drug operations.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s legal counsel, Salvador Medialdea, argued that the former president faced unfair legal treatment during his arrest. However, government officials countered this claim, asserting that Duterte was granted basic legal protections, as demonstrated by his initial appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC has accused Duterte of involvement in extrajudicial killings, linking him to 19 deaths allegedly carried out by the Davao Death Squad between 2011 and 2016, as well as 24 more cases between 2016 and 2019 during his presidency. The case has ignited discussions about human rights and legal accountability in the country.
