Castro: Duterte鈥檚 arrest a reminder to hold rights violators accountable
ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Former President Rodrigo Duterte (FILE PHOTOS)
MANILA, Philippines — The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte is proof that those responsible for human rights abuses must be held accountable, House Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list nominee France Castro said Tuesday.
In a statement, Castro described Duterte’s arrest as a crucial step toward accountability and justice for the “countless victims of his bloody regime.”
“This should serve as a reminder that those responsible for human rights abuses must face the consequences of their actions,” Castro said.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for thousands of extrajudicial killings linked to his administration’s war on drugs. Reports estimate at least 6,000 deaths, but human rights groups claim the toll could be as high as 20,000.
READ: Groups: Duterte’s arrest a key step toward justice for EJK victims
Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Party-list nominee Antonio Tinio said the group hopes Vice President Sara Duterte will be the next to face arrest.
“We hope that Vice President Sara Duterte would be next. The wheels of justice must continue to turn, and all those complicit in the atrocities committed during Duterte’s administration must be held accountable,” Tinio said.
He added that Duterte’s arrest sends a strong message that justice will prevail.
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On Tuesday, the Palace confirmed that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in Manila received an official copy of the ICC-issued arrest warrant for Duterte.
“Kaninang madaling araw, natanggap ng Interpol Manila ang official copy ng warrant of arrest mula sa International Criminal Court,” the Presidential Communications Office said.
(Early this morning, Interpol Manila received the official copy of the warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court.)
Duterte arrived in Manila from Hong Kong at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
