Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence is far from an easy watch.
The six-episode limited series, written and directed by Shugo Praico (Nanahimik ang Gabi, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins), delves deep into the consequences of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Produced in collaboration with Rein Entertainment and KC Global Media, the show’s first episode was privately screened to members of the press, while its remaining episodes are pending release.
Drug War follows the story of Kiko (Harvey Bautista), a struggling young boy in Manila who runs away to escape the police officers chasing after him. He finds solace in the rehabilitation program of Father Tom (Ian Veneracion), a priest who bears his own misgivings with the government’s brutality towards those struggling with addiction.
There is very little reprieve from the violence that unfolds as early as the opening scenes of the first episode. Oplan Tokhang is in full effect, and men in uniforms roam the streets of Manila looking for more names to add to their list of drug users and pushers. Praico switches back and forth between images of bodies on the street, leaving little room for viewers to look away from a war that, in reality, only took place a decade ago.
Drug War is not for the faint of heart, but it is an unflinching look at how the country responded to Duterte’s campaign, and it’s timely now more than ever as the former president prepares for his trial before the International Criminal Court.
However, what anchors Drug War and the necessary story it’s trying to tell is its talented ensemble cast. Bautista brings levity to his portrayal of Kiko, elevating the character from a person struggling with addiction to a nuanced take on self-forgiveness. Elevating his time onscreen is Romnick Sarmenta as his father, and their moments together as a family offer some much needed peace to balance out the darker storylines of the series.
Veneracion also serves as the emotional core to Drug War, acting as a sort of moral compass to both Kiko and the show’s viewers. As a devout Catholic, Father Tom starts off the series preaching acceptance, empathy, and mercy for those caught in the fire of the drug war. But as the war rages on, the priest is forced to question his own sense of justice and morality as he finds himself growing more and more protective of Kiko. Veneracion more than delivers as a priest in crisis, and it will be a delight to see how the series pushes his character even further.
Drug War has yet to announce a release date or a chosen streaming platform. However, announcements regarding streaming, as well as local and international broadcast partnerships, are expected in the coming weeks.
