By Benito Reyes
MANILA — A group of human rights advocates has asked the Supreme Court to strike down the police directive that initiated former President Rodrigo Duterte’s nationwide anti-illegal drug campaign, saying the order remains legally valid despite the conclusion of his presidency.
Lawyers from CenterLaw Philippines filed a petition on Friday requesting the High Court to declare unconstitutional the Philippine National Police memorandum dated July 1, 2016, known as “Project: Double Barrel,” which became the primary operational guide for anti-drug operations during the Duterte administration.
According to the petition, the memorandum has never been officially rescinded, leaving it legally enforceable and potentially available for use in future law enforcement activities.
The petitioners also urged the Court to resolve the consolidated writs of amparo they filed in 2017 for families and communities allegedly affected by the anti-drug campaign.
CenterLaw lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres argued that the constitutional issues surrounding the directive remain unresolved and should not be dismissed simply because Duterte’s term has ended.
They said executive policies that continue to produce legal consequences should remain subject to judicial review, warning that failure to do so could allow controversial government actions to escape constitutional scrutiny.
The lawyers emphasized that unless formally revoked or invalidated by the courts, executive directives remain capable of implementation.
Issued by then Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the memorandum identified both major drug syndicates and street-level suspects as priority targets of police operations.
Rights organizations, however, have long claimed that the campaign disproportionately affected marginalized communities, resulting in thousands of deaths during police operations and alleged vigilante killings.
Dela Rosa, now a senator serving his second term, is facing proceedings before the International Criminal Court in connection with the drug war. Former President Duterte has been under ICC custody in The Hague since March 2025.
The petition also asks the Supreme Court to recognize that the government’s anti-drug campaign led to widespread violations of constitutional rights, including the rights to life, liberty, and security.
The lawyers further requested the Court to officially acknowledge that extrajudicial killings occurred as part of the campaign’s implementation, saying such recognition would help provide justice and legal validation for victims’ families.
They noted that survivors and relatives continue to endure the long-term effects of the violence while awaiting a final judicial determination.
The unresolved amparo petitions involve 26 Metro Manila communities that allegedly experienced intimidation, surveillance, and threats during the anti-drug operations. Their identities remain undisclosed for security reasons.
A writ of amparo is a legal remedy intended to protect individuals whose rights to life, liberty, or security are threatened.
Previously, the Supreme Court considered related petitions questioning the anti-drug campaign, including cases filed by Catholic nun Sr. Ma. Juanito Daño and lawyer Aileen Almora. The Court also directed the Office of the Solicitor General to submit police records on anti-drug operations after expressing concern over official reports on campaign-related deaths.
Through the latest filing, the petitioners are seeking a final ruling that would determine the constitutionality of the controversial anti-drug directive and clarify its legal standing.
elamigo/