NUJP Counters Claims of Sensationalized Drug War Reporting, Points to Media Intimidation
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) issued a strong rebuttal on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, dismissing allegations by lawyer Nicholas Kaufman that news coverage of former President Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs" was twisted, sensationalized, and controlled by powerful interests. In a statement titled "A throwback nobody is nostalgic for," the NUJP emphasized that journalists who covered the violent anti-narcotics campaign firsthand can attest to widespread hesitation among media managers and owners.
Media Owners Feared Backlash During Drug War, NUJP Asserts
According to the NUJP, media workers active during the government's aggressive campaign against illegal drugs confirm that most corporate media leaders were reluctant, if not outright afraid, to oppose the popular "war" that also enjoyed broad support in both houses of Congress. This fear, the union argues, led to self-censorship and limited critical reporting, rather than any orchestrated manipulation as Kaufman suggested.
ICC Investigates Allegations of Killings Linked to Duterte Era
The International Criminal Court's (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I is currently examining accusations related to killings in Davao City from 2013 to 2016, as well as the deaths of so-called "high-value targets" from 2016 to 2017. Additionally, the ICC is probing fatalities and attempted murders during anti-drug operations between 2016 and 2018. Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc noted that Duterte is considered innocent unless proven guilty, with the former president waiving his right to attend the hearing and being represented solely by his lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman.
Government Failures in Drug War Investigations Highlighted
The NUJP referenced findings from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), which as early as 2017 alerted that thousands of deaths linked to the ongoing anti-drug campaign had been documented but remained unprosecuted, pointing to systemic government failures in investigation. The group also mentioned that even Duterte's own Department of Justice (DOJ) identified irregularities and protocol violations in police operations after reviewing certain cases.
Kaufman's Defense Dismissed as Reviving Debunked Theories
In defense of his client, Kaufman revived long-disproven conspiracy theories, such as claiming that photos of drug war victims were fabricated. The NUJP criticized this move, arguing it distracts from the substantive issues of accountability and justice. The union's statement underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing human rights violations and media freedom in the Philippines.
