Mother describes intimidation following son's death in drug war

Mariza Hamoy recounted to the civil society-led Truth Commission how she pursued answers following the death of her 17-year-old son Darwin, who police reported died during an anti-drug operation. Her account adds to a growing body of testimony from families of victims who allege they encountered obstacles in their efforts to hold authorities accountable for deaths occurring under the previous administration's controversial drug war.

Hamoy's experience reflects a pattern reported by other families of victims, who have described facing either intimidation or bureaucratic hurdles when attempting to pursue legal remedies or investigations into their relatives' deaths. The Truth Commission, established as a civil society initiative, has been gathering testimonies from those affected by the drug war's violence.

The Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign, which lasted from 2016 to 2022, resulted in thousands of deaths. Human rights groups and international observers have documented widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings, though the government has maintained that deaths occurred during legitimate law enforcement operations against drug suspects who posed threats to officers.

Testimonies like Hamoy's underscore the challenges faced by families seeking accountability and justice years after the deaths occurred. The Truth Commission's work continues to document the impact of the drug war on Philippine society and families affected by its violence.