standards, are undertaken. So far, the LCCs have extended free legal consultations, and brief lecture(s) on the nature and mandate of the CHR, among other more advance actions. New components will be introduced including the setting up of more enduring human rights desks in local parishes. There were 1,132 LCCs that were conducted and participated in by 1,138 partakers composed of 515 males, 601 females, and 22 “unspecified others”. Of the total assisted, 386 contained factors needing legal assistance. Client approval metrics showed that 77% were extremely satisfied; 22% very satisfied and 3% satisfied. There were no dissatisfaction scores so far. F. Summary of Alleged Drug Related-EJK Incidents Taken Cognizance of by the CHR: July 01-2016- December 31, 2022 The massive wave of drug crimes and the targeting of alleged suspects, followed by human rights abuses meant to crackdown on illicit drug users in the country, became the focal point of government strategy under the last administration (2016-2022). Law enforcers were deployed in a nationwide campaign purportedly to solve the drug problem in the country. Under the said campaign, however, aggressive and even brutal law enforcement was employed to spot and subdue those allegedly involved in the illegal trade. Unfortunately, the crusade to eradicate the illegal drug business in the country targeted mostly the grassroots players and caught hardly any big-time dealers. The brutal campaign which exploited a de facto policy to go after drug criminals carried out tactics ranging from “house-to-house surveys on drug use, compulsory drug tests, and the compilation of names in drug watch lists.” In the long run, the community residents—most, if not all of whom, were the poor and the disadvantaged, became the hapless victims. There was a striking and sad contrariness on the fact that while the drug war was going on, local and international experts were criticizing the government’s approach and emphasizing there is still no evidence-based study supporting the war on drugs method of management as valid and effective for the long-term. The numbers presented here include carry-over cases documented from the last administration’s war on drug agenda. Summary of Alleged Drug Related-EJK Cases Number of Cases 3,961 Number of Victims 4,600 Male 4,478 Female 122 G. EJK, Torture, and Enforced Disappearances The last year in office of the past dispensation saw a time when there was no indication of recovery for human rights in the country even as the incoming administration had yet to guarantee programmatic actions and policy-based commitments for rights and freedoms. During the changeover in political leadership, it still remained to be seen whether the human rights terrain will get better as would be indicated solely by a downtrend in numbers and patterns in relation to cases specifically EJK, torture and enforced disappearance. It remains widely observed in 2022 that as the scenarios in the country for human rights continue to unfold, it will also continue to entail vigilant and dynamic monitoring. It is crucial without exception that the protective agencies led by CHR to constantly act to demand State support and adherence to human rights laws and standards especially in the delay if not absence of holistic, comprehensive and permanent plan of actions to resolve and stop continuing infringements. While it is in fact far-fetched that any government can thoroughly eliminate abuses and preserve a violations-free society, it is still within reasonable expectations that government and its agencies will allocate capacities and similar resources, including exerting enough political will, to come up with systems that protect and promote human rights. The figures on EJK do not reflect the total number of alleged EJKDR cases which were being investigated by CHR in 2022. These figures only pertain to cases culled from the CHR central database (ICMS) and may not yet include those directly received; taken cognizance; and/or has yet to be inputted by CHR Regional Offices in the said database Case Type Extra Judicial Killing Enforced Disappearance Torture Number of Cases 85 21 35 Number of Victims 91 71 42 15