Catholic Bishop Broderick Pabillo leads a vigil at a church in Manila for victims of extrajudicial killings in August 2016. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a rare pastoral letter condemning President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent war on drugs. (Zeke Jacobs/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
MANILA, (PIA) — Filipino Catholic bishops have welcomed the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity, calling it a “significant step toward accountability” for alleged human rights violations during his administration’s war on drugs.
“True justice is about accountability, transparency, and the protection of human dignity,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, who also serves as president of Caritas Philippines, in a statement released by Vatican News.
Bagaforo challenged Duterte to stand by his past statements: “For years Duterte has claimed that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions. Now is the time for him to prove it.”
The ICC investigation covers 2011-2019, including the period when Duterte was mayor of Davao, where his family has long held power.
Authorities are also examining allegations that Duterte operated a “death squad” targeting drug suspects in Davao before implementing similar tactics nationwide after becoming president in 2016.
While official police records document more than 6,200 extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s tenure, independent watchdogs estimate the actual number may be significantly higher — between 12,000 and 30,000 — with many urban poor and drug users killed under mysterious circumstances.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of Caritas Philippines emphasized that the killings under Duterte’s administration were not random acts but part of a systematic policy that undermined the fundamental right to life.
Caritas Philippines issued a statement on March 11 underscoring “the need for truth, reparations, and justice for the victims,” calling the arrest a pivotal moment for the country.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have described the arrest as crucial for accountability in the Philippines.
Duterte previously argued that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines after he withdrew the country from the tribunal in 2019.
However, legal experts note that under the Rome Statute, the court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed before a nation’s withdrawal.
While the former president’s supporters view the arrest as unjust persecution of a leader they believe made the country safer, Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay told Radio Veritas: “That is what democracy should be—no one is above the law, and everyone must answer for their actions.”
Duterte was taken into custody at Manila airport on March 11 by the Philippine National Police following an International Criminal Court warrant.
He was extradited to the Netherlands on March 12 to face charges related to his anti-drug campaign. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
