Former President Duterte of the Philippines is Arrested for Alleged Crimes Against Humanity - Catholic Bishops say it is a Step Toward Accountability
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Agenzia Fides reported that executing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Philippine police arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte, age 79, today, March 11, at Manila airport, immediately after his arrival from Hong Kong. Duterte will face charges of "crimes of murder against humanity" at the ICC for the "war on drugs" campaign launched during his term in office, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of drug dealers and addicts.
The ICC arrest warrant is the result of a years-long investigation by the court's Prosecutor's Office into the campaign promoted by Duterte during his presidential term (2016-2022) and, previously, when he was mayor of Davao City (1998-2016), on the island of Mindanao, south of the Philippines. During hearings before the Senate and the House of Representatives in October and November 2024, Duterte had openly defended the “war on drugs” under his administration, saying that its aim was to protect young people.
The former president admitted to having formed “death squads” (a term he himself used) to combat drug-related crime, both during his time as mayor of Davao and later during his presidency. During that period, the Philippine government acknowledged at least 6,600 killings at the hands of the police, but the number of deaths attributed to “paramilitary groups” exceeds, according to NGOs, 20,000. In 2019, the Philippines, under President Duterte, left the ICC, but the court, based in The Hague, declared that it retains jurisdiction over killings that occurred before the withdrawal.
Among the Philippine civil society groups that have filed complaints with the ICC is the Philippine Catholic network “Rise Up,” which brings together victims’ families, religious, priests, lay people, lawyers, communities and ecclesial movements committed to promoting human dignity, justice and the common good. Today, the government led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared that it will not block the ICC’s investigation and questioning in the Duterte war on drugs case.
CBCP News released:Some Catholic bishops expressed hope that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte marks a step toward accountability and sets a precedent for addressing human rights violations in the country.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan said Duterte’s arrest is a crucial move toward justice for the thousands killed in his deadly drug war.
“True justice… is about accountability, transparency, and the protection of human dignity,” said Bagaforo, who is also president of Caritas Philippines.
“For years, former president Duterte has claimed that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions. Now is the time for him to prove it,” he said.
Duterte is in police custody after Interpol served him with an arrest warrant from the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity upon his arrival at Manila’s international airport Tuesday.
The ICC has been investigating the brutal anti-drugs crackdown that Duterte oversaw while he was in office.
Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, but an appeals judge ruled that prosecutors still had jurisdiction over the alleged crimes because they occurred when the country was still a member.
Most cases investigated by the ICC took place between 2016 and 2019. The probe also covers alleged crimes committed when Duterte was mayor of Davao.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos emphasized the need for justice, stating that the victims and their families deserve truth and reparations.
“These killings were not random; they were part of a policy that violated the fundamental right to life,” said Alminaza, who is also vice president of the national Caritas.
CBCP News released:Some Catholic bishops expressed hope that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte marks a step toward accountability and sets a precedent for addressing human rights violations in the country.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan said Duterte’s arrest is a crucial move toward justice for the thousands killed in his deadly drug war.
“True justice… is about accountability, transparency, and the protection of human dignity,” said Bagaforo, who is also president of Caritas Philippines.
“For years, former president Duterte has claimed that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions. Now is the time for him to prove it,” he said.
Duterte is in police custody after Interpol served him with an arrest warrant from the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity upon his arrival at Manila’s international airport Tuesday.
The ICC has been investigating the brutal anti-drugs crackdown that Duterte oversaw while he was in office.
Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, but an appeals judge ruled that prosecutors still had jurisdiction over the alleged crimes because they occurred when the country was still a member.
Most cases investigated by the ICC took place between 2016 and 2019. The probe also covers alleged crimes committed when Duterte was mayor of Davao.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos emphasized the need for justice, stating that the victims and their families deserve truth and reparations.
“These killings were not random; they were part of a policy that violated the fundamental right to life,” said Alminaza, who is also vice president of the national Caritas.
“The families of the victims deserve truth, reparations, and justice. As a nation, we must ensure that such crimes never happen again,” he said.
Duterte’s arrest does not mean he is guilty. But Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay said the crimes happened under the former leader’s watch must be investigated.
“This is where we will see whether his actions were right or wrong and whether he should be held responsible if they were wrong,” Pabillo told Manila archdiocese-run Radio Veritas.
“That is what democracy should be—no one is above the law, and everyone must answer for their actions,” he said.
Source: CBCP News Net of the Philippine Catholic Bishops - Image
Duterte’s arrest does not mean he is guilty. But Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay said the crimes happened under the former leader’s watch must be investigated.
“This is where we will see whether his actions were right or wrong and whether he should be held responsible if they were wrong,” Pabillo told Manila archdiocese-run Radio Veritas.
“That is what democracy should be—no one is above the law, and everyone must answer for their actions,” he said.
Source: CBCP News Net of the Philippine Catholic Bishops - Image
File Photo By Government of the Philippines - https://tokyo.philembassy.net/the-philippine-president/president-rodrigo-roa-duterte/, Public Domain
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