Groups: Duterte’s arrest a key step toward justice for EJK victims
Former lawmakers Neri Colmenares and Teodoro Casiño. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte is a significant step toward attaining justice for extrajudicial killing (EJKs) victims in the past administration’s drug war, Bayan Muna chairperson and former lawmaker Neri Colmenares, and other progressive groups said on Tuesday.
Colmenares, in a statement, said that while Duterte’s arrest is long overdue, it sends a strong message that justice can be achieved through a continuous struggle.
Duterte was detained earlier by the Philippine National Police (PNP), to implement the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice for the arrest order issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
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“(The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte is a) significant step toward justice for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations under his administration,” Colmenares, also a co-counsel of victims who filed the crimes against humanity case before the ICC, said.
“This arrest, while long overdue, sends a powerful message that justice can be achieved through perseverance and struggle. We have consistently called for accountability for the massive human rights violations committed during the Duterte administration, particularly the thousands of lives lost in the so-called ‘War on Drugs, ’” he added.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan chairperson Teddy Casiño, meanwhile, said that the fight for accountability is not yet over, as several of Duterte’s “conspirators” are still at large.
“This may be a victory, but the fight is far from over. Duterte’s conspirators are stiill at large. There is still the grueling trial ahead. Maraming buhay ang nawala, at hanggang ngayon, nagpapatuloy pa rin ang mga extrajudicial killings at red-tagging kahit wala na si Duterte sa pwesto,” Casiño said.
“Duterte’s arrest is a crucial milestone in the struggle for justice. It proves that no one, not even tyrants, can escape accountability. Pero hindi tayo dapat tumigil dito. Ang tunay at ganap na hustisya ay hindi lang sa pag-aresto, kundi sa paghusga ng Korte, pagpataw ng parusa, at pagtiyak na hindi na ito mauulit kailanman. Justice may have taken time, but today we take a big step forward,” he added.
Over the weekend, there were rumors that the ICC would soon issue an arrest order for Duterte due to the crimes against humanity of mass murder cases against him. During this time, the former president, his relatives, and key allies flew to Hong Kong to meet overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Duterte faced the crimes against humanity raps due to his role in his administration’s war on drugs, where thousands of individuals were killed. While many lauded Duterte’s campaign, it was also flagged by human rights defenders for being violent and bloody.
Colmenares was one of the lawyers for a set of complainants—composed of relatives of drug war victims—who filed the case against Duterte before the ICC.
READ: Drug war critics file complaint vs Duterte for ‘crimes against humanity’
In Hong Kong, the older Duterte addressed talks on the arrest order, saying that his actions during the war on illegal drugs were for the Philippines’ benefit.
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Several official and independent investigations of the drug war have shown that there were several instances where innocent individuals were dragged into the anti-drug operations, like in the case of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, who was summarily executed even if he was not the original target of the operation in Caloocan City. last August 2017.
The three police officers involved in the killing of delos Santos were convicted of murder.
Last August 2024, the House of Representatives’ quad committee started an extensive probe into the past administration’s drug war and other issues. The four panels eventually recommended the filing of crimes against humanity complaints against Duterte and his key allies for allegedly committing extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the anti-drug campaign.
During the investigations, it was revealed by former police colonel Royina Garma that Duterte called him in May 2016 about setting up a reward system for police officers who would kill drug suspects.
