Philippines drug war victims seek justice through truth commission | Human Rights News
Manila, Philippines – Luzviminda Siapo was speaking with her teenage son, Raymart, when tragedy struck. Hours later, her family delivered the devastating news: Raymart had been found dead in a semi-abandoned area of their Manila neighborhood, with signs of violence and illegal substances nearby.
“I asked my relatives for proof,” Luzviminda recalled. “The morgue sent me a photo of Raymart covered in blood. It was undeniable that he was gone.”
This incident occurred in 2017, amid the deadly campaign against narcotics initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte. During this period, targeted individuals were frequently killed by police in anti-drug operations or by suspected vigilantes.
At that time, Luzviminda was working in Kuwait, where her employment contract restricted her from returning home. For days, she pleaded with her employer to allow her to travel back to the Philippines one last time to see her son.
“I even kissed my boss’s feet to show my desperation,” she said.
Upon her return, Luzviminda learned of an accusation against Raymart by a neighbor who claimed he was involved in cannabis trafficking. Witnesses later told her that Raymart was abducted by 14 masked men who shot him after he was unable to flee due to his physical condition.
Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist at the University of the Philippines, confirmed that Raymart suffered close-range gunshot wounds. Her examination of the remains is part of her work with the Drug War Truth Commission, an independent body established in May to investigate extrajudicial killings associated with Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
While the government reports approximately 6,000 deaths linked to the campaign, human rights organizations estimate the toll may range between 20,000 and 30,000. Duterte, who served from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in March 2025 and is facing trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
On Friday, the Truth Commission commenced public hearings intended to gather testimonies from victims’ families, witnesses, and survivors over the coming months. Luzviminda was the first individual to take the stand.
In an interview prior to her testimony, she expressed her primary goal: to share her story. “I want other Filipinos to understand that innocent lives were taken, and even those accused of drug-related offenses deserve due process,” she stated, emphasizing her belief that evidence was fabricated and that Raymart was innocent.
Fortun clarified that the commission itself is not pursuing prosecutions but is prepared to support government efforts and the International Criminal Court. “We are looking for information that may be useful in any potential legal proceedings,” she noted.
Among those attending Friday’s hearing was Randy delos Santos, whose 17-year-old nephew Kian was also killed by police in 2017. Kian’s case remains one of the few instances in which police have faced consequences for extrajudicial killing actions.
Like many others, the officers involved claimed self-defense, but security footage contradicted their account, showing them dragging Kian before fatally shooting him. This evidence was crucial in securing a murder conviction.
Randy stated that while they obtained a conviction for murder, the officers should also be held accountable for additional charges, including evidence tampering. “There’s more to this story that the Truth Commission can help uncover,” he said.
Both Luzviminda and Randy have sought answers for nearly a decade, grappling with questions regarding their loved ones’ deaths. “Why did they have to kill my son?” Luzviminda asked. “Investigations should be conducted first; if he was guilty, there are legal processes for that.”
While the Truth Commission’s ability to provide closure remains uncertain, both families agree that being heard is a vital step forward.
