International group says Duterte failed to address corporate greed

MANILA, Philippines — An investigation conducted by the international nongovernment organization Global Witness said the Duterte government failed enormously to fulfill its promises to Filipinos, including the vow to address corporate greed.

In its report “Defending the Philippines,” the group noted that attacks against land and environmental defenders have escalated with 30 persons killed last year, making it the country with the highest number of such killings in the world. 

It said the attacks against land and environmental defenders – defined as ordinary Filipinos who stood up against land grabs and the destruction of the environment – are linked to the presence of major industries that include coal, agribusiness, tourism and mining.

Global Witness also claimed Duterte’s war on drugs has “fostered a culture of impunity and fear, emboldening the politically and economically powerful to use violence and hitmen against those they see as an obstacle or a threat.”

Malacañang disputed the claim, saying the deaths cannot be generalized without an investigation.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, at a press briefing, disagreed with the group, saying those behind the deaths of activists may have different motives for committing the crime. 

“You know, when somebody dies, we have to investigate whether or not that concerns whatever advocacy he has or that is a personal thing,” he said.
“We cannot just generalize,” he added. 

During the launching of the report in Quezon City yesterday, Global Witness senior campaigner Ben Leather pointed out that “when President Duterte came into power, he made three clear promises to his electorate: to eliminate corruption, to protect the precious environment of the Philippines and to safeguard marginalized groups such as indigenous communities.” – With Alexis Romero, Pia Lee-Brago