The Duterte government is drawing flak online for its alleged fake drug war following the Department of Justice’s decision clearing suspected drug traffickers of criminal charges.

Some netizens wondered how suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa managed to elude charges despite previously admitting involvement in the narcotics trade while others suspected that businessman Peter Lim got off the hook because of his friendly ties with President Duterte.

“In case we still needed further proof, the dismissal of charges against Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa underscores — yet again — that this Admin’s “drug war” is a sham. Over 20,000 murdered, millions terrorized, multiple political opponents demonized, all based on a lie,” former Congressman Barry Gutierrez tweeted.

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay also slammed the government’s fake war on illegal drugs. “The DOJ cleared the ff: Peter Lim, identified by the President as a drug lord; Kerwin Espinosa, self-confessed drug lord; Peter Co, convicted drug lord. And yet Leila de Lima is still in jail for ‘conspiracy’to trade in drugs. This is what you expect from a FAKE WAR ON DRUGS,” he said.

ABS-CBN broadcaster Karen Davila tweeted: “Kerwin Espinosa is a self confessed drug lord. Statement under oath. DOJ clears him of drug charges because of lack of evidence? #justiceinph.”

Twitter user @pinopojo commented: “Luh. Yung mga big time druglord abswelto. Yung mga maralitang pusher, tingi-tingi ang pinapatay. Imba. Kklk.”

“Grabe. Speechless. Gaguhan na lng tlga,” @jasminG28 tweeted.

@makaww72 wrote: “Wow. While small time pushers and users are killed without due process everyday. All the big-time drug lords identified by the PNP and Duterte himself are cleared by the DOJ. This drug war of Duterte is nothing but a farce.”

In case we still needed further proof, the dismissal of charges against Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa underscores — yet again — that this Admin’s “drug war” is a sham. Over 20,000 murdered, millions terrorized, multiple political opponents demonized, all based on a lie. — Barry Gutierrez (@barrygutierrez3) March 13, 2018

Kerwin Espinosa is a self confessed drug lord. Statement under oath. DOJ clears him of drug charges because of lack of evidence? #justiceinph — Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) March 13, 2018

The DOJ cleared the ff: Peter Lim, identified by the President as a drug lord;

Kerwin Espinosa, self-confessed drug lord;

Peter Co, convicted drug lord. And yet Leila de Lima is still in jail for "conspiracy" to trade in drugs. This is what you expect from a FAKE WAR ON DRUGS. https://t.co/WOp9RK7o29 — florin hilbay (@fthilbay) March 12, 2018

Luh. Yung mga big time druglord abswelto. Yung mga maralitang pusher, tingi-tingi ang pinapatay. Imba. Kklk. — Princess Tan (@Pinopojo) March 12, 2018

Wow. While small time pushers and users are killed without due process everyday. All the big-time drug lords identified by the PNP and Duterte himself are cleared by the DOJ. This drug war of Duterte is nothing but a farce. — makaww72 (@makaww72) March 12, 2018

“DOJ junks illegal drug charges vs Cebu-based businessmen Peter Lim, confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and eight others.” pic.twitter.com/Vh1gEUACGt — Manuel L. Quezon III (@mlq3) March 12, 2018

DOJ exonerated Faeldon and Peter Lim. All drugs related cases. Meanwhile, Leila De Lima has been in jail for more than a year. This admin is hell bent on removing CJ Sereno by hook or by crook. This is justice, Duterte-style! pic.twitter.com/Z1mjDB7sY8 — Dan Santos (@DanSantos8) March 12, 2018

DOJ has exonerated alleged drug lord Peter Lim, President Duterte’s kumpare, of drug trafficking charge. (via Inquirer) There you have it, folks. An award for hypocrisy of the 1st order is forthcoming for him who says one thing and does another. “I hate drugs,” with exceptions. — Miss Maggie (@MiaMagdalena) March 12, 2018

Why was the father killed? Anong ebidensiya mayroon laban sa kaniya? This is a joke! Mockery of justice. — rstar312 (@rosabelita) March 12, 2018

Grabe. Speechless. Gaguhan na lng tlga. — Jasmin Guevarra (@JasminG28) March 12, 2018

kaya di matatapos ni PDuts and drug problem…..yung mga bubwit lang kaya nya…hindi mga big time drug lords….. — John Ipsi (@JohnIpsi) March 12, 2018

ONLY POOR SUSPECTED DRUG ADDICTS AND DRUG PUSHER ORDERED TO BEING SLAUGHTERED BY DUTERTADOR. NOT THESE BIG FISH OF SELF CONFESSED DRUG DEALER YET SEN. DE LIMA IS IN JAIL WITHOUT HARD EVIDENCE TOO!!!#GISINGPILIPINAS — rjay rosales jr. (@eljon71) March 12, 2018

PATAY na ang hustisya!! — Mirador (@jengurionli) March 12, 2018

indeed, our country the Philippines had just become a safe haven for drug lords to conduct their illegal drug business. PHILIPPINES IS THE NO. 1 COUNTRY TO INVEST, IN ILLEGAL DRUGS! hooray to #tandamisayad! — jvm3CARBON (@been_saint) March 12, 2018

Yung Drug Lord napawalang sala. Yung mga dealers at users dedbol. Dahil ba KUMPARE si Peter Lim? — PidsNogales (@PidsNogales) March 12, 2018

“Self-confessed” drug lord Kerwin Espinosa… “weak evidence”… I’ll let that sink in for a moment. — Danny Ching (@dlccorps) March 12, 2018

kapag mahirap to patay agad oh wow galing ng war on drugs nuh nakakagago — -`, calonia ,`- (@aivancalonia) March 12, 2018

@DOJPH @pnppio @pnp bulok walang kredibilidad! 💰💰💰💰😠👎sa pinas mga whistle blowers ang nakukulong! Wala ng pag asa ang bayan nato! Isa sa pina ka worst ang gobyernong ito!👎👎👎 — Justicia (@gmh_usa) March 12, 2018

Ano nangyare sa anti drug war? hangang tokhang lang ng minions? Hindi kasali ang mga hari? — Kainna (@ken_carpintero) March 12, 2018

I dnt believe this, Espinosa admitted to drug trafficking n yet he was cleared? Du30 said he will kill Peter Lim bcuz hes a drug lord, n yet he was cleared? Du30 really hates drugs 😡 — BotB (@dz_bb) March 12, 2018

Ang Saya Saya. Lahat ng Drug Lords Nakawala na. Proud kami sau Wiguerre!!!🙄🙄🙄😜 — Ricky Zerrudo (@rczjr417) March 12, 2018

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