Drugs wars and strongman politics

It is impossible to specify the number of extrajudicial killings that have occurred in the Philippines since President Duterte announced his ‘war on drugs’ in May 2016. What is certain, however, is the disruptive impacts that these ‘strongman’ politics have had on daily life in that country.

The LSE International Drug Policy Unit will be running an exhibition in the Library Escape Area for the duration of the festival showing the human cost of the Philippines’ ‘war on drugs’. Photos by Philippine photojournalist Raffy Lerma will depict the victims, and audio recordings will tell their stories.

Far from a one-dimensional fatalistic showcasing of human destruction, the images will also tell the story of the quiet organisation, acts of compassion and community responses from human rights groups, with a particular focus on the harm reduction organisation NoBox Transitions.