Negros bishop hails arrest of Duterte
Gerardo Alminaza —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
BACOLOD CITY — The bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental and a cause-oriented group welcomed the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, also the vice chairperson of Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, reiterates its long-standing call for justice for victims of extrajudicial killings during the Duterte anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths, many of which remain unresolved.
“These killings were not random. They were part of a policy that violated the fundamental right to life,” Alminaza said.
“The families of the victims deserve truth, reparations, and justice. As a nation, we must ensure that such crimes never happen again,” he added.
Alminaza said Caritas appealed not only to Duterte’s supporters but also to his political allies, especially members of his party, to set aside personal loyalty and choose to stand with the rule of law.
“This moment calls for leaders to prioritize justice and the common good over partisan interests. Justice cannot be selective. It must apply to all regardless of power or position,” he said.
“The rule of law must prevail. Justice must be served. Let this be a turning point for our nation—a step toward healing, accountability, and real change,” Alminaza added.
Bayan Negros said the arrest of Duterte for crimes against humanity was also a welcome move but a long overdue step towards justice.
“(Duterte) waged an all-out war not just in the cities through his fake drug war but also in the countryside, where his counterinsurgency campaign turned entire communities into killing fields,” Bayan Negros deputy spokesperson Berlita Ante said.
“His reign of terror left a trail of massacres, killings, coordinated raids, illegal arrests, and forced displacement,” she added.
Among those killed in Negros were peasant leader Alexander Ceballos, human rights worker Zara Alvarez, land reform advocate Toto Patigas, and human rights lawyer Ben Ramos.
“Their murders were not random acts of violence but part of a systematic campaign of repression designed to crush dissent and terrorize the people into submission,” Ante said.
“The ICC arrest is just the beginning. Duterte must be convicted, and all those who carried out his orders, especially those still seated in power, must be held accountable. Without continued public pressure, the case would not prosper and justice could be denied again,” she added.
Duterte, 79, was arrested last March 11 under an International Criminal Court warrant over allegations of crimes against humanity.
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