According to human rights organizations, the anti-drug war in the Philippines has asked for more than 30,000 deaths since 2016, including over 140 children. The new government under President Marcos also wants to continue this policy. Ralf Willinger, child rights officer at Terre des Hommes, knows her victims.

Ralf, how do the drug raids run in Davao City?

The police usually come at night and penetrate the houses heavily armed. Many errors happen: a twelve-year-old child was shot because it was just as said as a 30-year-old drug dealer they were looking for. The mother told the police officers that they are wrong. They killed the boy anyway. The police assume that everyone in the quarter is under a ceiling. Young people in particular always have to expect to get into the crosshairs. People live here in constant fear and uncertainty. 

Are the police responsible for accountable?

That is difficult. The former President Duterte systematically switched off his opponents - also judges who did not follow his line. However, our partner organizations are trying not to let the perpetrators get away without punishment. They document cases and do international media and lobbying. After all, the International Criminal Court is now investigating the police force in the Philippines.

How should there be against drug crime?

Anti-drug wars are never successful-not in Brazil, not in Colombia and not in the Philippines. It is a yesterday's strategy that has proven to be wrong: the violence escalates, drug trafficking and the number of consumers rise. Instead, controlled legal sales and help offers are much more successful for consumers.

How does Alay Mindanao promote non -violent conflict resolution?

The children in Davao City grow up: there is a police force, violence in family and violence at school. You should learn that there is another way. In our peace manual »Together without violence«, we show you various ways to solve conflicts without violence.

Does that also help against police violence?

Police officers are also people, so it can help if you talk to them and make them clear: the others also have rights and feelings. Our partner organization Alay Mindanao advises a widow group. And these women brave the police bravely in the face: "You killed an innocent child." In fact, many police officers were affected. "We weren't, these were the special commands from the capital Manila," they said. You have now become more careful.

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