Philippines President Duterte imposed one of the longest lockdowns to control the spread of COVID-19 yet recorded at various times the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia. This paper asserts that it is precisely the authoritarian nature of the Duterte regime that has caused the tragedy. Further, the authoritarian response to COVID-19 exacerbated impunity and disregard for human rights in the country. The law and order paradigm of an authoritarian government is utterly unsuitable in managing a public health crisis. The regime exploited the pandemic to escalate its repression of political rivals and continue the bloody drug war. Policies implemented during the lockdown reveal a consistent bias for business interests and against workers’ rights. The pandemic exposed the regime’s ineptitude and this contrasts with its image of toughness in dealing with the manufactured crisis called the drug war. While it may be argued that an authoritarian response and the sacrifice of civil liberties are necessary in controlling COVID-19, it has not been the case for the Philippines.