Summary
Highlights
Puring Dacumos recounts the night of August 3, 2017, when police stormed her home, killing her husband, Danilo 'Payat' Dacumos. Despite police claims of 'resisting arrest' and planting evidence, Puring insists her husband, though a drug user, surrendered. The traumatic event left her family shattered, struggling with grief and financial hardship, questioning the merciless killing of her husband.
The documentary details President Rodrigo Duterte's aggressive 'war on drugs' after his election in 2016. His promise to eradicate drugs, corruption, and criminality led to 'Operation Plan Double Barrel,' which included 'Tokhang' — a campaign where police would 'knock and plead' with alleged drug users and pushers to surrender. However, these operations frequently resulted in deaths, with police consistently claiming that targets 'fought back.'
Llore Pasco shares her agonizing experience of losing two sons, Crisanto and Juan Carlos, on May 11, 2017. They were killed by police in Quezon City, accused of cellphone snatching and engaging in a shootout. Llore refutes these claims, highlighting her sons' legitimate jobs and clear records, which contradict the narrative of them being criminals. She also describes the emotional and financial burden of retrieving their bodies and fighting for their dignity.
Llore became part of Rise Up, a group of families seeking justice for loved ones lost in the drug war. She confronted former President Duterte, who openly admitted ordering killings and taking full responsibility. Despite her direct appeal, justice remained elusive. The documentary notes the House Quad Committee's recommendation for crimes against humanity charges against Duterte and others involved in the drug war.
The 'war on drugs' disproportionately affected the poor, whose deceased loved ones were often placed in temporary niches and moved to mass graves if not paid for. To counter this, the Dambana ng Paghilom ('Shrine of Healing') was established by Father Flaviano Villanueva and the Paghilom program. This memorial provides a dignified resting place for victims of extrajudicial killings, symbolizing hope and remembrance, and offering support to orphaned families.
Father Flavie's program also includes efforts to uncover the truth. Many death certificates falsely list causes of death to cover up gunshot wounds. Through exhumations and forensic analysis by experts like Dr. Raquel Fortun, bullet wounds were found, revealing intent to kill and improper autopsies. Human rights groups and lawyers, like the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL), aid families in navigating the legal process, though they face challenges, with investigations often biased by police involvement.
The Philippines' drug war drew international attention, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) expressing concerns about extrajudicial killings as early as 2016. Despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, various complaints were filed against Duterte. In August 2018, six families of victims, including Puring, directly approached the ICC, seeking accountability and justice, expressing renewed hope despite their initial fears.
The documentary concludes by imagining a future where former President Rodrigo Duterte is arrested in March 2025 and transferred to the ICC Detention Center in The Hague. Charged with crimes against humanity for widespread killings from 2011 to 2019, he makes his initial appearance via video link. Despite his legal team's attempts to delay proceedings due to alleged health issues, the court confirms his capacity to attend the hearings. This hypothetical scenario offers a vision of accountability for the victims and a potential end to their 'night without end.'