The Philippines’ war on drugs remains a sensitive and difficult topic, with its impact continuing to affect families and communities. It is also an issue that has led to different views and experiences among Filipinos.
For director Shugo Praico, the six-part series Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence is ultimately about people. Behind the politics and controversy surrounding the Philippines’ war on drugs are families, communities, and individuals whose lives have been changed by it.
“We were very aware na itong subject matter is very sensitive, political, polarizing… But,… sa gitna nung lahat ng ‘to are stories of people caught in this war against drugs,” Praico shared during a press conference on August 12 in Taguig City.
Praico acknowledged that the series deals with a sensitive and divisive topic. But instead of focusing only on the politics, he wanted to tell the stories of people caught in the middle.
“…May mga nanay — kwento ng nanay na nawalan ng anak, mga anak na nawalan ng mga magulang, communities shifted by sa nangyari sa paligid nila.
“So ito yung mga gusto naming i-capture, this human stories and that’s what we presented in this series. Ayaw namin na… matabunan itong kwento na ‘to sa mga issues na political. So that’s what we wanted to show in this series,” he added.
Praico also explained that the series was not created to change the audience’s views on what happened during the drug war. Instead, they wanted to present different perspectives and encourage people to have conversations about the issue.
“We don’t want to change anyone’s views on what happened. But ang gusto namin makita yung ibang perspektibo. Gusto namin through this, we hope magkaroon ng — pag nakita mo yung ibang perspective, iba’t ibang perspektibo —magkaroon ng conversation about it,” he said.
“And we feel through that conversation, mas magkakaroon ng…understanding and eventually sana healing, ‘di ba? Doon naman yung nagsisimula — pag nag-usap, pag nabuksan yung mata, pag nabuksan yung isip, nabuksan yung tenga. ‘Yun yung hope namin and yun yung gusto naming sabihin sa lahat,” he continued.
Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence is a six-part crime drama directed by Praico and produced by Rein Entertainment. The series stars Ian Veneracion, Jane Oineza, Harvey Bautista, and John Arcilla, with Lotlot de Leon, Romnick Sarmenta, Yayo Aguila, Joem Bascon, Ryan Eigenmann, Art Acuña, Gabby Padilla, and more.
The series follows Fr. Tom Carillo, played by Veneracion, and policewoman Yana Macabeo, played by Oineza, as they investigate the death of Kiko Agustin, portrayed by Bautista. Episodes are being released weekly on Rein Entertainment’s YouTube channel.
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