The long arm of international justice has caught up with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose arrest on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity has been welcomed by faith-based organizations, human rights defenders, and victims’ families.
The Philippine government confirmed that he was taken into custody in Manila on Tuesday and later boarded a flight to The Hague at 11:03 p.m. (1503 GMT) to face trial.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Duterte would answer charges of the “crime against humanity of murder” before the ICC, which has been investigating extrajudicial killings under his anti-drug campaign.
The Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP-JPICC) described the arrest as “a crucial step toward addressing the countless human rights violations committed under his administration.”
In a statement, the group affirmed the pursuit of justice and accountability, emphasizing that “Duterte’s ICC warrant is not just a legal matter—it is a moral call for justice and truth.”
CMSP-JPICC urged the Philippine government to fully cooperate with the ICC’s proceedings and ensure that Duterte and those who implemented his policies “face the consequences of their actions.”
The statement referenced Pope Francis’ words in Fratelli Tutti, stressing that “truth is an inseparable companion of justice and mercy.”
The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) also welcomed Duterte’s arrest, calling it a “long-overdue reckoning for the victims and their families.”
The organization asserted that the Duterte administration’s war on drugs led to systematic violations of human rights, particularly targeting the poor and marginalized.
“These atrocities were not random incidents but systematic violations that must be addressed through legal and judicial processes, both domestic and international,” PMPI said.
The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University joined the call for justice, declaring that “time has caught up” with former President Duterte.
AHRC emphasized that his withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2019 did not absolve him of accountability, saying that “Duterte’s reign caused deep and immense suffering—commanding enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and ultimately perpetuating a culture of impunity.”
For many families of victims, the arrest brought mixed emotions of relief and pain. Nanay Dahlia Cuartero, a member of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, expressed her reaction, saying, “The joy I feel today is immeasurable, along with tears of happiness at Duterte’s arrest.”
Jane Lee, whose husband was killed in Duterte’s war on drugs, said, “I want to cry, I really want to see Duterte behind bars. They must pay for what they did to us.”
Human rights lawyer Neri Javier Colmenares, counsel for victims, stressed the need for a swift legal process. “While we relish the victory of his arrest today… we still have to press on and work for his eventual conviction,” he said.
Duterte has since claimed that his arrest violates his human rights and has accused authorities of illegal detention. However, AHRC dismissed this assertion as false, saying that the ICC’s warrant follows a legitimate and transparent legal process.
With Duterte now in custody, faith-based groups and human rights advocates vow to continue their campaign for justice. “This moment is not just about one individual,” PMPI said.
“It is about ensuring that no leader can ever again wield state power to violate the dignity and rights of Filipinos with impunity,” the group added.
