Why are few police officers convicted for drug war killings?

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Few Police Officers Convicted for Drug War Killings Due to Systemic Challenges

A limited number of police officers have been convicted for killings during the Philippines' anti-drug campaign, a situation attributed to a combination of fear among victims' families, resource constraints within the judicial system, and the inherent difficulties in prosecuting law enforcement. While a recent ruling saw four police officers sentenced to up to 10 years for homicide in the 2016 deaths of a father and son, this case remains an exception rather than the norm. Official figures indicate over 6,000 deaths in police anti-narcotics operations, with human rights groups estimating significantly higher figures, yet prior to this conviction, only five other police officers had been found guilty of killing drug suspects.
Limited Prosecutions Despite High Death Toll

The conviction of four police officers for homicide in the killing of Luis Bonifacio and Gabriel Domingo marks a rare instance of law enforcement personnel being held accountable for actions during the former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. This specific case involved the victims' family alleging the participation of over a dozen officers in the 2016 operation, though only four were charged with homicide, a lesser offense than murder which requires proof of deliberate intent to kill. The judge noted the accused did not deny their presence and participation in the operation where the victims were killed, yet the prosecution opted for the homicide charge.
Fear and Resource Barriers for Victims' Families

Many families of those killed during the drug war are deterred from pursuing legal action due to fear and a lack of resources. Navigating the Philippine judicial system is often a protracted and costly process, requiring significant financial means and time that many bereaved families cannot afford. This systemic challenge, coupled with the perceived danger of confronting law enforcement, contributes to a low rate of successful prosecutions and convictions for drug war-related deaths.
Broader Investigations and Previous Convictions

The Philippine drug crackdown has drawn international scrutiny, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigating whether the campaign constituted a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population, potentially amounting to crimes against humanity. This investigation covers cases prior to the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019. Prior to the current case, convictions for killings during anti-drug operations were exceptionally scarce. In 2018, three police officers were convicted of murdering a teenager in 2017, and in the preceding year, two officers were found guilty for separate killings that occurred in 2016 and 2017.

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Why are few police officers convicted for drug war killings?

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