REPORT ON INVESTIGATED KILLINGS IN RELATION TO THE ANTI-ILLEGAL DRUG CAMPAIGN observations indicate the clear message of the perpetrators that users and sellers of illegal drugs do not deserve to live, possible repetitions of attacks would happen, and a climate of criminality throughout the country would continue. The culture of impunity is even more highlighted by the lack of effective, prompt, and transparent accountability mechanisms to address the drug-related killings. For instance, the CHR’s lack of access to police documents in 295 out of 793 drug-related killings has contributed to the dearth of information vital in identifying patterns in these incidents. Reasons were either the police’s lack of response, outright denials, or pending clearance from higher offices. Such actions and inactions manifest indifference to the constitutionally vested powers of the Commission. These are also among the reasons why the CHR decided to come up with this analytical report through a sampling methodology based on only a number of cases investigated with adequate records available to the CHR. Internal investigations on law enforcement operations that resulted in death have been inaccessible and nontransparent. Precinct-level investigations were conducted by members of the same station or unit. Seldom did the available investigation reports from the station question the legitimacy of the operations, the use of force and firearms, and the self-defense narrative. Police reports in only 264 out of the 478 law enforcement operations were made available to the Commission. Police investigations of drug-related killings committed by unidentified and other perpetrators have been inadequate. Available information reveals that of the 246 incidents of killings by unidentified and other types of perpetrators, the police only identified and filed appropriate charges in 22 incidents. Several obstacles in the investigations were cited by the police and the most common among them is the lack of witnesses that can positively identify the perpetrators. This is the oft-cited reason despite the PNP’s vast network of assets and intelligence, coupled by the various support and improvement in its capability, equipment, and manpower. To this day, no drug group was made to account for the killings allegedly committed, and justice remains elusive for the “drug war” victims. Overall, the Commission finds that the government has failed in its obligation to respect and protect the human rights of every citizen, in particular, victims of drug-related killings. It has encouraged a culture of impunity that shields perpetrators from being held to account. It must be emphasized that the Commission supports campaigns to combat the effects and proliferation of dangerous drugs, but it reminds the State that such measures must be coupled with a strong drive to promote due process, equal protection, full accountability, and the rule of law, thus, fulfilling its fundamental duty to uphold the rights and dignity of all. iv