On the southeastern edge of Asia, in the Philippine archipelago, a tough voice once echoed through the bustling markets and quiet countryside of a man who once made the world look at him – Rodrigo Duterte.
Known as a "ruthless man", in the six years he was in power, he controversially rewrote the social order of the Philippines, confronting and even going against the trend of history. The tragic death of the drug trafficker is a reminder of the iron fist of the law, while the economic recovery speaks of another possibility of development.
Where does Duterte's footsteps lead the Philippines?
Gunsmoke and order
When Duterte stepped onto the presidential podium, he inherited a country in an eventful state. The Philippines' urban and rural areas are full of crime and corruption. Criminals use prison as a paradise, the drug trade becomes a hidden pop culture, and law and order seem to be nothing more than just words.
Located in the capital, the Bilibid Prison, known for its luxurious facilities and the feudal kingdom of criminals, has completely exposed the weakness and chaos of the Philippine justice system. After President Duterte took office, he was determined to shake up the entire criminal system and rebuild the image of the country in the hearts of the people.
Using almost all available resources, he launched the infamous "kill, kill, kill" policy early in power. Police forces and even ordinary citizens are given the unusual power to carry out immediate and extreme actions against suspected drug traffickers while claiming to pave the way for justice and safety.
Many suspects are executed without trial without going through lengthy legal procedures. This move set off a nationwide war without gunpowder, but the gunfire in the streets and the discarded corpses became direct witnesses to the war. Duterte's security policies quickly "paid off" across the country.
According to official statistics, as of June 2017, more than 12,000 people had been killed in the Philippines' domestic drug war. Gradually, more and more drug dealers and drug addicts began to voluntarily surrender, and the prisons were full of repentant sinners. He declared that in this war, justice and order would triumph over evil and chaos.
The cost of policing
Putting aside the discussion of the rule of law and human rights, from a quantitative perspective, Duterte's "kill, kill, kill" policy seems to have achieved certain "results" in the short term. The number of drug cases has dropped to the lowest point in recent years, and more and more drug dealers and drug addicts have voluntarily surrendered to the public security organs.
However, behind it all, if you look closely, there is actually a complex and far-reaching impact. First of all, at the economic level, fighting crime has become one of the main expenses of the Philippine government. The government invests heavily in areas such as police forces, armed forces, and prison facilities.
Hiring and training more police officers, purchasing advanced anti-riot equipment, and expanding and improving prison facilities...... All of this requires huge expenses. At the external level, the Philippines has begun to lose some aid and investment from Western countries due to anti-human rights practices. These lost funds could have been invested in education, health care, infrastructure and other areas related to people's livelihood.
At the societal level, this smokeless war has brought deep rifts. The overly violent crackdown not only guillotined many drug dealers and drug addicts, but also victimized many innocent people.
Some of those who were mistaken for a drug dealer, for lack of a fair trial, left their lives and liberty in the hands of power without defense, turned into corpses of those who could not find the Lord. And the families and friends of these deceased, who can understand their pain. As a result, the fear of society is no longer only from criminals, but also from those who wield force.
The eradication of criminals does not solve the root cause of the problem. Behind the rampant drug-related crime is a reflection of the huge social problems in the Philippines. Poverty and education shortages have long been a major problem in the Philippines. Many drug dealers and drug addicts are actually forced by real life to embark on the road of crime.
If we fail to solve these problems at the source, no amount of eradication and crackdown will only cure the symptoms but not the root cause, and crime will continue to be prevalent in new ways and forms. On the whole, the improvement of law and order seems to have paid too high a price. Whether from an economic, social, or even humanitarian perspective, this policy has seriously weakened the national strength and vitality of the Philippines.
More importantly, it has put the social state of the Philippines in a dilemma. On the one hand, in order to maintain public order and order, it is necessary to severely punish criminal acts. But, on the other hand, this harsh crackdown, and the social divisions it brings, have left the country with a long history of struggle and suffering.
The spring breeze of economy and infrastructure
Under Duterte's leadership, the Philippines has seen a seismic shift in social and political outlook, but it has also been accompanied by rapid economic and infrastructure development.
The Duterte administration, faced with a stable order and the "calm" brought about by the war on drugs, sees an opportunity to boost economic development, and the measures they have taken cover the entire economic spectrum: a significant increase in infrastructure investment, the rise of various construction projects, and the vigorous development of foreign trade are trying to ignite the rocket engine of the Philippine economy and promote the country's economic take-off.
Infrastructure development was a major part of Duterte-era economic policy. Thousands of kilometers of roads have been built and widened, bridges have been built to connect previously inaccessible areas, and more flood protection projects have been built to withstand frequent natural disasters.
In addition, a large number of port and airport renovation and new construction projects have been identified and implemented, and the implementation of these major projects has not only greatly improved the basic public facilities of the Philippines, but also attracted a large number of foreign investment into the Southeast Asian country. The large-scale development of public construction has naturally brought about an increase in jobs with the naked eye.
Jobs in a wide range of industries, such as painters, welders, and machine operators, have proliferated, and many family members who once relied on agriculture for their livelihoods have found more opportunities for urban careers. According to data released by the government, millions of new jobs were created during this period, which directly boosted GDP growth and boosted the economic mobility of the entire society.
At the same time, improvements in transportation and communication infrastructure have greatly improved the logistics efficiency and communication capacity of the Philippines. New e-commerce companies have sprung up, and the logistics industry has become a shining leader among many entrepreneurial ideas.
This not only creates more employment opportunities for young people, but also connects the domestic market with the international market, making it easier for Philippine products to be sold around the world.
The government's fiscal stimulus strategy also includes tax incentives for businesses. As a result, small businesses and start-ups have access to significant financial support to meet the challenges of competing in the market. On the one hand, this relieves the capital pressure on entrepreneurs, and on the other hand, it also promotes the development of innovation and technology, adding vitality to the Philippine economy.
The construction of public welfare and social security systems has become another policy highlight of the Duterte administration to promote economic growth. Under his push, the government has set up more social welfare programs, such as significantly increasing public investment in health care and education, to ensure that a wider range of people have access to quality health and education services.
These measures have not only improved the quality of life of the people, but also expanded the domestic consumption capacity. In Duterte's first five years in office, the Philippines' GDP growth momentum has been strong, with official figures consistently between 6 and 7 percent. Despite the severe blow of the pandemic, the economy grew by an unexpected 7.6% in 2022.
This growth rate is remarkable in Asia and globally. Although such a growth rate cannot be attributed entirely to one person or a set of policies, it shows that the spring breeze of the economy and infrastructure has indeed brought substantial changes and development to the Philippines.
A new balance in the diplomatic landscape
Under Duterte's leadership, the Philippines' foreign policy has undergone unprecedented shifts that have largely reshaped the country's role and position on the international stage. Before he took office, the Philippines was dependent on Western countries, especially the United States, in many ways.
However, since Duterte came to power, he has adopted a more multilateral and balanced diplomatic strategy aimed at protecting and promoting national interests while finding a new position among the world's major powers. Duterte is committed to strengthening ties with its Asian neighbors, especially with China.
Under his leadership, dialogue and cooperation between the Philippines and China has been significantly strengthened, not only in the economic field, but also in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and other areas. One of the major advantages of this strategy is that it has attracted Chinese investment, which has played a positive role in promoting the economic development of the Philippines.
For example, the two sides have signed a number of agreements covering a wide range of areas of cooperation, from railways to bridges to power projects. These collaborative projects not only bring financial benefits, but also help modernize infrastructure in the Philippines. However, he did not completely abandon relations with the United States, a traditional ally.
Although he openly criticized the United States and threatened to sever military and economic ties between the two countries in the early days of his presidency, in reality, his administration has taken a more pragmatic stance in dealing with American relations. Based on a continuous assessment of the Philippine national interests and the geopolitical situation, he strives to maintain cooperation with the United States while reducing dependence on the latter.
Relations between the two countries stabilized at the end of his term, and the Philippines and the United States renewed the Visiting Forces Agreement, proving that the Philippines and the United States are still partners to some extent. In addition to China and the United States, Duterte has sought to strengthen ties with other regional powers, such as Russia and Japan.
He visited Russia and conducted a direct dialogue with Russia with the aim of establishing closer bilateral relations, especially in the areas of defense and security. Relations with Japan have also been strengthened, and Japan has become an important source of development assistance and economic partner for the Philippines, especially in infrastructure and technology transfer.
The same political bloodline
After Duterte's term ended, the influence of the Philippine political family did not dissipate, but took on a new chapter. Political power in the Philippines is often seen as a family legacy, passed down from generation to generation of political families.
Against this cultural backdrop, Duterte's family continues to play a central role, with his son Sebastian succeeding to the mayor of Davao City and his daughter Sara as vice president of the new president of the Philippines.
Under his father's guidance, Sebastian took over Davao City, the most prosperous city in the Philippines. Davao City has undergone a dramatic transformation during Duterte's tenure as mayor, which has strengthened the family's political roots.
When Sebastian took over as mayor, his policies were clearly in line with his father's style of governance, which was committed to promoting the local economy while maintaining a strict legal order. Sara Duterte's political trajectory is even more striking. As vice president, she is not only a symbol of the Duterte family's political influence, but also a signal of the future political direction of the Philippines.
Sara's policies and actions are often seen as a continuation of Duterte's political philosophy, and the resilience and determination she has demonstrated in her work, as well as her direct appeal to the people, echo in part the approach her father took. Similarly, the political cooperation between Sara and the new president of the Philippines maintains a delicate balance between family and national politics.
Duterte has not completely withdrawn from the political arena since leaving office. He appears frequently in the public eye, sometimes as Sarah's political adviser, and sometimes as a voice on other political events. These events not only demonstrate his willingness to continue to influence Philippine politics, but also hint at the role that his family may continue to play in Philippine political life in the future.
More broadly, this inheritance of family politics is not a phenomenon unique to the Philippines. In many countries and regions, there is a hereditary political power to varying degrees, and the alliance or competition pattern between political families often determines the political direction of the country.
In the Philippines, this is also reflected in the relationship between the Duterte family and other extended families, who often control key positions in local government and national political institutions, thus influencing all aspects of national politics.
Resources:
Cabacungan, Gil C. "Duterte: The Rise and Pitfalls of a Strongman." Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.net.
Mogato, Manuel. "Duterte Years: The Transformation of the Philippines Under Populism and Power." Rappler.com.
Heydarian, Richard Javad. "The Duterte Phenomenon: Populism and Foreign Policy in the Philippines." The Pacific Review.