Google Play: Remove Games Glorifying the Deadly Drug War in the Philippines

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is leading a deadly drug war. More than 12,000 people suspected of using or selling drugs have been murdered in the last year. Meanwhile, games glorifying Duterte’s horrific drug war are being hosted by Google Play which seem to clearly violate its “Sensitive events” policy. Killing people in the name of the drug war is an unconscionable atrocity that must be condemned, not capitalized on.

Apple just removed these types of games from its store. It's time for Google Play to follow. Sign our petition: tell Google Play to remove these apps from their store immediately in recognition of the ongoing atrocity happening in the Philippines.

Petition to Jamie Rosenberg, VP of Business and Operations for Android and Google Play:

I urge Google Play to remove the apps glorifying the deadly drug war led by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. It seems pretty clear that these games violate Google Play's policy, which says, “We don’t allow apps that lack reasonable sensitivity towards or capitalize on a natural disaster, atrocity, conflict, death, or other tragic event.” Apple just removed these types of games from its store. It's time for Google Play to follow.

President Duterte has championed a campaign that is responsible for the extrajudicial killing of more than 12,000 people, showing his complete disregard for due process or human rights. In his call for the murder of people who use or sell drugs, he promised medals for citizens who comply, and pardons for police if they are charged with human rights violations while carrying out the executions. He has even likened himself to Hitler. These extrajudicial killings have largely claimed the lives of the country’s most marginalized and vulnerable citizens, including those who are unemployed or underemployed.

Meanwhile, the Google Play store is hosting games (some rated “E” for “Everyone”) glorifying the president’s sickening, murderous drug war which clearly seems to violate your Google Play policy. I urge Google Play to remove these games immediately and apologize for hosting such insensitive content.