This book takes a hard look at the recent drug crackdown in the Philippines, instigated mainly by the duly elected president at that time, Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte was elected as a popular candidate – and he made promises to not only kill the drug lords but the drug sellers all the way down to the users on the street. This declaration resulted in a massive amount of extra-judiciary killings by both vigilante groups and police. The writer of this book lived through it as a newspaper reporter, and describes her experiences as well as how this affected normal people on the street.
First of all, this book was scary as fuck. I can’t imagine living in a country where you cannot trust the police, and make your living scraping by with the chance that everything could be taken away in an instant. Add to that the possibility that a member of your family accused (sometimes falsely accused) of using drugs could be assassinated – their head wrapped in packing tape with a sign around their neck saying “Drug Lord”.
Even police caught red handed lying and planting evidence are backed up by their commanders all the way to the top, including the president. The story was fascinating to read, yes, but it also shows you what you may be taking for granted.
Naturally as a magazine writer the author has a distinctive style – sort of a reporter/teacher, and she takes an unflinching look at the intended and unintended results of this policy. She reflects on her people and her country and examines why someone like Duterte could be elected, and remain extremely popular. This also sheds light on some of the reason that Trump remains popular in the USA.
This is an important book and I’m glad I read it. It documents so much tragedy that at times it starts to blur a bit, but towards the end there are some signs of hope. It also felt a little like a warning to me – especially for this election year.
Next I am reading The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler.
