Former President Rodrigo Duterte addresses a proclamation rally for his senatorial candidates of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino party ahead of the midterm elections, at a social club in Manila on February 13, 2025. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY 鈥� Human rights activists and civil society groups rejoiced due to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday morning by force of a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
鈥淭oday, impunity lost,鈥� Pinoy Aksyon鈥檚 statement reads.
The group lauded the Marcos administration for cooperating with Interpol in serving the arrest warrant for Duterte, adding that the former leader would be made to answer for crimes against humanity even as the country is no longer a state party to the ICC.
鈥淛ustice at last! The arrest of Duterte proved that the truth will eventually come out 鈥� truth and justice that have long been denied to victims of the widespread human rights violations under his administration,鈥� said Judy Pasimio of LILAK Purple Action for Indigenous Women鈥檚 Rights.
鈥淜udos to ICC for their relentless pursuit of justice. This is a victory of the families of the victims, and the Filipino people who dared to speak out, expose, and fight the brutal and bloody Duterte presidency,鈥� she added.
鈥淲e understand the grievances of the supporters of the former president, but (we) enjoin them to respect the rule of law鈥� This is right time for the former president and his cohorts to prove their innocence in a fair and impartial court鈥� Pinoy Aksyon said.
In Mindanao, Duterte supporters gathered in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan cities to express indignation over his arrest.
Some of them even called for 鈥減eople power鈥� to stop authorities from bringing Duterte before the ICC.听