Producers address missing ‘Drug War’ episodes on YouTube, postpone finale
MANILA, Philippines — The producers of “Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence” have addressed the temporary disappearance of the first four episodes from YouTube, where they had chosen to release the limited action-drama series for free.
The setback also prompted REIN Entertainment to “reschedule” the airing of the series finale, although the showrunners didn’t specify what caused the episodes to become unavailable.
“Episodes 1 to 4 are temporarily unavailable on REIN’s YouTube channel. We’re working hard to bring them back as soon as we can for all of you,” the production company said in an update on its Facebook page.
“The finale has also been rescheduled. We’ll announce the new release date here first.
“In the meantime, Episode 5 is still available for those catching up. Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support. More from the series soon,” the statement further read.
Before Episodes 1 to 4 became unavailable, “Drug War” had already generated more than one million cumulative views.
This writer has reached out to REIN Entertainment for further comment but has yet to receive a reply as of this writing.
The development comes after the producers earlier explained why they chose YouTube as the platform for the six-part crime series.
Director and REIN Entertainment president Shugo Praico said the team wanted “Drug War” to be easily accessible to viewers.
“Very accessible,” he said of YouTube during a recent presscon, noting that it allows more Filipinos, including those living abroad, to view the series and, just as importantly, participate in the conversation through the comments section.
“Isa po ’yun sa dahilan or objective namin kaya namin binuo itong series — for that conversation to happen,” said the filmmaker, who’s also behind the critically acclaimed crime series “Bagman.”
Inspired by true events and real-life accounts from the Philippines’ war on drugs during the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the series attempts to explore the human stories and moral questions surrounding the controversial but also widely popular anti-drug campaign.
“Sa pag-uusap, doon natin hindi nakakalimutan. And minsan doon din natin matse-check ang mga sarili rin natin,” he said, recalling one of the questions the writers asked early on: “Nasaan ba tayo noong panahon na ’to?”
The director hopes viewers will find themselves asking the same questions.
Direk Shugo also previously told The Philippine STAR that the series was made not to cater audiences on one side of the drug-war debate, but also those with opposing views.
“Kahit ano ’yung side (mo), kahit nasaan kayo, because ’yun ’yung gusto ng show — makita at marinig ’yung mga side. Kasi minsan, sinasarado na natin ’yan. Sinasara natin ’yung mata natin, ayaw na nating makinig,” he said.
“Hindi lang pro, hindi lang anti. Lahat kasi may makukuha at makukuha tayo. Mas lalo nating ma-understand ang pinanggagalingan ng both sides.”
Asked whether the ongoing ICC proceedings on the drug war make this the right time for the release of the series, the director stressed that the legal questions should be treated separately from the stories it seeks to tell.
“Hindi ako expert. I think ’yung trial is a legal question. It’s a different discussion altogether. Pero ’yung kuwento, kuwento ng mga tao, ng characters, I think kahit anong panahon, ’di ba dapat marinig?” he further told this writer.
The timing of the series was not intentional, he likewise clarified, as the project had already been in development as early as 2023.
Direk Shugo also acknowledged that the internationally acclaimed crime drama “Narcos” was among the series that initially inspired the creative team while they were developing “Drug War.”
During the early stages of the project, he said they discussed how the format of “Narcos” could be adapted to the Philippine setting.
The team, however, was later advised to develop its own approach and identity instead of creating a local version of the international show.
Still, direk Shugo hopes “Drug War” can reach non-Filipino viewers, pointing out the series’ action sequences, production value and storytelling.
“We believe in the product. Ang ginawa namin, quality action din, sa production value, ’yung storytelling. We think it’s relatable not just for Filipinos but for a global audience — something that we can be proud of,” he said.
“Drug War” follows Fr. Tom Carillo (Ian Veneracion), a priest who teams up with police officer Yana Macabeo (Jane Oineza) to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of Kiko Agustin (Harvey Bautista), Tom’s former protégé. Besides Ian, Jane and Harvey, the ensemble cast includes John Arcilla, Lotlot de Leon, Romnick Sarmenta, Yayo Aguila, Joem Bascon, Ryan Eigenmann, Art Acuña, Gabby Padilla and Miggy Jimenez.
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