Netflix urged to cancel Philippine drug war drama

World
Europe

Monday saw the premier of the first ever Philippine TV series on Netflix. Days after its worldwide release, human rights advocates urged the global streaming giant to stop showing it.

The controversial 12-episode series, “Amo” is based on the deadly war on drugs waged by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Hugely contentious at home and abroad, the brutal campaign has already claimed more than 12,000 lives according to human rights groups.

Produced by broadcaster TV5 and directed by Brillante Mendoza, Amo tells the story of Joseph, a high school student and small-time “shabu” (meth) peddler who gets involved with drug lords, corrupt policemen and other officials.

A Philippine Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) officer is seen working at the scene where two suspected drug dealers were shot dead following an encounter and shootout with police at a checkpoint along a highway in Manila, August 28, 2016. /VCG Photo

The petition, signed by 13 organizations, said that Netflix is glorifying the bloody drug war by streaming the show, according to a CNN Philippines’ report. One member of the signatory Akbayan Youth, a youth activists group, also expressed concerns that the show’s Cannes award-winning director, who is an open supporter of Duterte, is using the show as propaganda for the administration.

"It's insensitive of Mendoza to dismiss the human rights violations, the lives lost, the trauma the families have to deal with, as simply necessary. Nothing would justify the killings that have been happening," Akbayan Youth's Justine Balane told CNN Philippines.

Aside from the group’s petition, a mother whose 19-year-old son was an alleged victim of the extrajudicial killings also started an online signature campaign calling on Netflix to “cancel” the show.

"I would like to ask you to cancel this show. War on drugs is not the solution. For me, killing is not right. Everyone deserves a chance to live and change his life," Luzviminda Siapo wrote on her petition.

‘It’s up to viewers’

In an interview with The Telegraph, Amo director Brillante Mendoza denied that the series glorifies the drug-related conflict of the Philippines, claiming, "I have this feeling that because I am doing a series against illegal drugs that people are prejudging it... It will pass through different points of view, different perspectives, depending on the subject matter that we are dealing with."

"At the end of the day, it is not about being controversial, but simply being truthful about the issues that surround us. We have to acknowledge that there are problems going on and face reality," Brillante tweeted.

Mendoza added the drug war is necessary “not only for the Philippines but also other countries afflicted with the drug problem.”

Robert Roy, Netflix’s vice president of content acquisition, said in a statement: “We are always seeking to work with passionate, talented storytellers like Mendoza, to bring premium content to Netflix. Amo is a bold and suspenseful show that has the potential of capturing thrill-seeking audiences worldwide.”

Asked about the criticism, Netflix said viewers could choose what to watch and not watch.

"Netflix offers a diverse choice for consumers to decide on what, where and when they want to watch," a spokesperson for the company said in an interview with BuzzFeed News. "We understand that viewers may have opposing opinions but leave it to them to decide."

On social media, Filipino viewers are still divided on the issue. "Stayed up all night to finish Netflix’ original Filipino series AMO. My perspective, it does not glorify EJK. On the contrary, it speaks more of the dark side of the PNP, so why does Human Rights want to stop the airing of AMO?" @PelitaPeraltaUy said on Twitter.

"I think #netflix should just be honest if they had to agree to show this pro extra judicial killing series #amo to operate in the Philippines. The public should also know who funded the series. This serious, #netflix is facilitating the propaganda of a murderous regime," said user @diwaenergy.

If Netflix does not cancel the show, human rights groups are looking into writing a formal petition "demanding accountability for being complicit in spreading Duterte's propaganda."

(With input from agencies)