The war on drugs initiated under former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration resulted in severe consequences, including the death and incarceration of numerous individuals, particularly small-time drug users. Recent revelations from Col. Jovie Espenido, once a prominent figure in the aggressive enforcement of this drug war, have shed light on the pervasive corruption within this initiative. Espenido’s admissions reveal how police officers engaged in illegal practices such as falsifying evidence, fabricating statements, and shortcutting investigations to unjustly arrest and, in some cases, kill alleged drug offenders. These revelations confirm longstanding concerns among observers and critics that the drug war led to significant abuses of authority, targeting low-level offenders to placate President Duterte's tough stance on crime. The fallout from these corrupt practices remains a critical issue within the Philippine criminal justice system. Evidence suggests that thousands of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) are currently imprisoned, serving sentences ranging from 20 years to life. Many of these individuals were arrested for possession of less than 0.01 grams of shabu, a minuscule amount of the drug. Notably, drug offenders make up approximately 60% of the total prison population, underscoring the scale of the issue. The current situation reflects a grave miscarriage of justice. Many of these individuals are first-time, low-level offenders who could have been diverted to community-based rehabilitation programs rather than being sentenced to prolonged incarceration. Many are non-violent, employed, and pose minimal threat to public safety. Instead, they now endure extended periods in prison, contributing to overcrowded facilities, straining government resources, and causing significant disruption to their families and communities. It is imperative that the Marcos administration addresses this injustice. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has the authority to exercise Executive Clemency and should consider commuting the sentences of these PDLs. A potential approach would be to reduce their sentences to 6 years, aligning with the length of sentences offered in plea bargains for similar offenses in trial courts. Additionally, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) could identify these individuals for participation in drug treatment programs while they remain incarcerated. Upon their release, they could benefit from supervised reintegration programs managed by parole officers, assisting their transition back into society and reducing the likelihood of recidivism. The individuals ensnared by the corrupt practices of Duterte's drug war deserve a chance at redemption. Subjecting them to 20 years to life imprisonment is not only morally indefensible but also ineffective in addressing the broader drug problem. Such prolonged incarceration places a significant financial burden on the government and fails to contribute meaningfully to public safety or rehabilitation. It is both a moral and practical imperative for the Marcos administration to rectify this injustice and offer these individuals a pathway to reintegration and a second chance at life.
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