The Dark Side of the Drug War in the Philippines - Most drug addicts around the world cannot afford rehabilitation. According to surveys in the United States alone, only 10.4 percent of addicts undergo medical therapy. Meanwhile, the number in poor and developing countries is even greater.
I swear
The Philippines' new president, Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte, is waging a major war against criminal gangs, especially drug and drug dealers. I swear it's not just bullshit. Since Duterte took office, thousands of criminals have been thrown into prison, albeit in inhumane conditions.
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Narrow and Congested
The darkest portraits of the drug war in the Philippines can be seen at the Quezon City Penitentiary, near Manila. The prison, which was built six decades ago, was originally designed to accommodate 800 inmates. But since Duterte came to power the number of inmates at the prison has doubled to 3,800 inmates
Cover the Sky
Lack of space forces inmates to sleep on the basketball court in the middle of the prison. The frequent rains in the Philippines have made the situation in prisons even worse. Currently, there is only one toilet for 130 prisoners.
The Quick Way to "go crazy"
Prisoners were allowed to sleep crammed onto the field. "Most of them went crazy," Mario Dimaculangan, a Bangkotan convict, told the AFP news agency. "They can no longer think clearly. This prison has exploded. Just a little move you nudge other people," he said. Dimaculangan has been in prison in Quezon City since 2001.
Low Budget
A cell in the Quezon City prison is actually only able to accommodate 20 inmates. But because of the current situation, the wardens forced up to 120 prisoners into one cell. The government provides a food budget of 50 Peso or 14,000 Rupiah and medicine funds of 1,400 Rupiah per day for each prisoner.
Sick Nest
The poor sanitation situation in Quezon City's prisons often leads to outbreaks of disease. In addition, inmates' testimonies stated that brawls between prisoners were commonplace because of the cramped and cramped conditions.
The Judge
In the war on drugs, Duterte is not shy about using brutal means. Since last July, Philippine security forces have shot dead around 420 drug dealers for no apparent reason. The methods used are similar to those of the mysterious shooters in the Suharto dictatorship era in the 80s. That's why Duterte has now earned the nickname "the punisher."
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booming
According to a study by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research in London, prisons in the Philippines are the third most populous in the world. Government data also shows that every prison in the country accommodates five times more prisoners than its original capacity.
Lice Dead Addict
President Duterte not only targeted the dealers, he even ordered the police to shoot dead drug users. As a result, 114,833 addicts reported themselves to the police to undergo the rehabilitation process. However, due to the lack of facilities, some were put in various prisons in the country.
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Duterte is unmoved
Human rights groups and the Catholic church criticized the president for taking part in targeting the poor who do not deal with drugs. Some were even shot dead in the middle of the road for no apparent reason from the police. As if he didn't care, Duterte instead vowed to redouble his efforts to eradicate drugs.