Brutal to children. That’s how a children’s rights and welfare advocacy center has described the past 2 years under President Rodrigo Duterte.

In its assessment of the state of Filipino children this year dubbed “Ulat Bulilit,” the Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns listed the anti-drug campaign, the TRAIN law, and the continuing martial law in Mindanao as the top policies that have had the worst impact on children and their families.

Salinlahi listed the anti-drug campaign, the TRAIN law, & martial law in Mindanao as the top Duterte policies that had the worst impact on Filipino children.

In a performance, children being cared for by a Salinlahi member org portray some of these situations. pic.twitter.com/ANW5qkWnBn
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) June 23, 2018

Salinlahi on Saturday said children have become more vulnerable to abuses under the Duterte presidency.

“Brutal itong administration. Compared to Marcos mas nahigitan na ni Duterte ang human rights violations compared sa bata,” said Eule Rico Bonganay, the group’s secretary-general.

“Kung hindi ka man mamamatay sa war on drugs halos mamamatay ka sa gutom dahil sa taas ng bilihin.”

Bonganay also slammed the recent proposal to conduct mandatory drug testing among schoolchildren as young as those in Grade 4.

“Walang pinapakitang datos na ilang bata ang involved sa usapin ng droga. Random at mandatory testing, tinututulan namin. Pa'no maa-avoid ang stigma ng children who will be confirmed as drug users?” he said.

Bonganay added that children could be the next victims of the so-called drug war.

“Hindi kami tutol na andu'n ang kagustuhan na iresolba ang droga pero lagi namin pinapaalala na ipatupad ito sa paraan na di hahantong sa pagpatay at sa paglabag sa human rights,” he said. 

Random drug tests in schools hailed, feared

Former DSWD secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox were also invited as guest speakers during the event celebrating Salinlahi's anniversary.

LOOK: Australian missionary Sis. Patricia Fox and former DSWD secretary Judy Taguiwalo were invited as guests at the Salinlahi event marking its 32nd anniversary pic.twitter.com/jLfqv7S9DX
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) June 23, 2018

For Taguiwalo, malnutrition is another problem Filipino children continue to face, despite government programs addressing hunger.

But she also cited the psychological impact on children of the Duterte administration, particularly the president’s language and reported statements against women.

“Matindi rin ang epekto sa kaisipan ng bata ng kultura ng pagmumura, pambabastos at mababang pagtingin sa kababaihan sa mga talumpati at aksiyon ng pangulo at ilan pang matataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan,” Taguiwalo said.

“Nagiging normal ang matagal nang ibinaka natin at pinaglalaban ng kababaihan kontra machismo at misogyny.”

Fox said the rights that farmers in the provinces are fighting for are also relevant to children.

“Ang paglaban para sa lupa ay di lang para sa magulang kundi sa mga anak,” Fox said.

Fox, who came to the Philippines in 1990, has previously worked with farmers, tribal groups and the urban poor, where she learned about their problems on land ownership, illegal mining, and lack of job security.

Formed in 1986 from a foundation, Salinlahi is composed of 34 member organizations that are involved in various initiatives for children’s rights and welfare.

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