1. What are your views on Oplan Tokhang?

President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines opted earlier this year to relaunch the
"Oplan Tokhang" anti-drug campaign. Since taking office two years ago, Duterte has made the
controversial anti-drug campaign his primary priority. Since his 2016 presidential campaign,
Duterte has threatened to murder every drug dealer and user in the country and to eradicate the
use of illegal narcotics in the Philippines. However, human rights organizations have criticized
Duterte's drug war because of extrajudicial killings of people in impoverished areas. The
majority of those killed in the streets during the crackdown are family breadwinners, making it
difficult for the remaining family members, mostly poor women and children, to support
themselves financially. Moreover, residents in these areas have seen that the wealthy offenders
participating in the drug trade are handled differently. Instead of being murdered like poorer
people, they frequently become spies for law enforcement after being imprisoned. This could
lead to drug dealers continuing their operations after being released. Furthermore, reports have
suggested that many police personnel are paid under the table for alleged drug offenders they
murder during crackdowns. Funeral homes are also said to compensate these cops for
transporting these bodies, creating a perverse incentive that encourages these assassinations
while putting additional financial strain on these already destitute families who are forced to
transport their loved ones' remains through these funeral homes. Given the illegal exploitation of
the lives and economic welfare of the urban poor, it is unsurprising that Duterte's drug policies
will exacerbate the Philippines' economic woes, such as income disparity. Given that
methamphetamine is virtually always used as a substitute for food and other sources of
nourishment, this is likely to lead to an increase in methamphetamine consumption.
2. Does the film expose inconsistency in our present Drug Law? Cite an example.
The film immerses viewers in the government's dark and brutal battle on narcotics. It
begins with police officers weaving briskly and determinedly through a packed, labyrinthine
barrio, cursing beneath their breath. The camera follows a couple of them as they approach a
little gate that serves as the entrance to one of the area's slums. This is the unfolding of Operation
Tokhang, in which police knock on the doors of people suspected of being drug users or
complicit in the illegal drug trade. Except it's against the rules because just two cops show up at
the suspect's home. It also feels like detention. The documentary-style film transforms into a
procedural when the audience is introduced to the Tokhang process and the rehabilitation
program, which includes a shot of former and current drug dealers and users dancing in a
barangay-covered court. The movie establishes that once someone is placed on the watch list,
death by gunfire will come as a shock to them. Maria bothers the cops until she is recruited to be
a part of the "industry" of executing unarmed drug suspects, and then it's a matter of feeding her
kids. Watch List aims to depict in detail the viewpoint of human rights organizations who
criticize the government's drug war, highlighting police misbehavior and portraying cops as cruel
executioners who dump firearms and drugs as proof. It also tries to bring attention to the misery
it causes to underprivileged families with young children whose suspected parents are shot in or
outside their homes without warning.
As a Filipino youth, does this movie affect you positively or negatively? Justify.
 Illegal narcotics have been a big problem for countries all around the world for decades.
The current global drug war situation is horrific, and it is having an impact on the country's
society and economy. Philippines is one of the countries where illegal substances are prevalent.
In the Philippines, there are an estimated 100 million people. During President Rodrigo
RoaDuterte's presidency in 2016, over 200 drug personalities were slain as a result of drug-
related charges, rather than wasting money and incarcerating innocent people who are often
killed. The government should develop an effective therapy or program for illicit drug addicts.
As a Filipino youth this movie has affected me positively in a way that it made me aware
and widened my knowledge about the Oplan Tokhang operations mandated by the government
to solve the rampant drug problems in our country. However, upon watching the film, I learned
that the Oplan Tokhang has negative effects on the society since when you are already listed on
the drug watchlist, it is possible that you will be killed and convicted as drug addict. It is painful
to know that some innocent people got involved in the Tokhang even though they are not drug
addict or not guilty of any drug related charges. Human rights organizations have questioned
Duterte's drug war because of extrajudicial killings in impoverished areas. The majority of those
killed on the streets during the crackdown are family breadwinners, making it impossible for the
surviving family members, mostly poor women and children, to maintain themselves financially.
However, residents in these areas have seen that the wealthy offenders participating in the drug
trade are handled differently. Instead of being murdered like poorer people, they frequently
become spies for law enforcement after being imprisoned. This could lead to drug dealers
continuing their operations after they are released.
Aside from that, reports have revealed that many police officers are paid under the table
for allegedly killing drug criminals during their raids. Funeral homes are also said to compensate
these cops for transporting these bodies, creating a perverse incentive that encourages these
assassinations while putting additional financial strain on these already destitute families who are
forced to transport their loved ones' remains through these funeral homes. Given the illegal
exploitation of the lives and economic welfare of the urban poor, it is unsurprising that Duterte's
drug policies will exacerbate the Philippines' economic woes, such as income disparity.