Issue Overview and Spatial Significant (What is there? Why there?) In the Philippines, Filipino President Duterte has announced a war on drugs. This has resulted in the deaths of more than 5000 people in the ensuing anti-drug campaign. Some of these deaths are a result of arrests gone wrong, but many are also a result of vigilantes murdering these drug addicts. The Philippines has the highest meth abuse rate in the world, and the President is right to try and take action against it. However vigilante justice is not the way.
Patterns and Trends (Part of a larger pattern or trend in the region? Or is it isolated?): The practice of vigilantes is fairly isolated. However, there are other cases of vigilante justice occurring in Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria. Here, community groups are arresting illegal immigrants and also violating their human rights.
Geographic Perspectives and interrelationships (SPEEC, connections to studies in class): The war on drugs has a strong relation to the idea of human rights. These drug users are not necessarily criminals, they may simply need help. Regardless of whether they are criminals or not, their rights need to be respected. In addition, the government of Duterte has reinforced that vigilante justice is acceptable, relating to the idea that countries need strong, ethical leadership in order to progress. As the Philippines is thrown into chaos by this war on drugs, its social rights, economy, and political institutions will suffer.
Key Stakeholders (Who are the key stakeholders?) Families: Those with drug users are having their families torn apart by the violence. These drug users are fathers, mothers, and children with people who care for them.
Government: They have to appear strong and take action. The drug problem is crippling society and must be amended at all costs.
Vigilantes: A crime is a crime, regardless of who commits it. The drug users have made their own decisions and deserve to be punished for it. Issue Implications - Why Care (SPEEC Impacts)? The vigilante killings are a massive violation of human rights. The role of the government in spurring action is also worrisome, especially with leaders such as Putin and Trump in this world. While the Philippines may be an ocean away, it is important to check the power of leaders and consider consequences before acting. One only has to look at the white supremacy motion of the “alt-right” in order to find the parallels of questionable behavior being encouraged by political leaders.