Past 2016, an 'Iron Fist' regime imposed a campaign meant to eradicate drugs, but tragically led to the Extrajudicial Killings (EJKs) of thousands of his countrymen. On the morning of March 11, 2025, fortunately, the iron-fisted former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested by Philippine National Police (PNP) officers based on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), and received by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) for crimes against humanity. While the over-glorification of the so-called good he achieved may cloud judgment in his case, it must not shield him from the shackles of accountability, for no despot can outrun the long arm of justice.
To be fair, Duterte pursued a strong vision of peace by aiming to eradicate illegal drugs. His supporters even often claimed they felt safer walking the streets under his leadership. Be that as it may, his anecdote mirrors that of Robin Hood—a fictional hero who stole money from the oppressors to give to the poor—yet Duterte’s version sought to prevent the Philippines from becoming a narcotic state, all while robbing the lives of the very people he was sworn to serve. Whether miscalculated or deliberately done, he must have been fully aware of the repercussions of his actions, and thus, there can be no justification for him to escape the horrors of accountability.
When the Scales Tip
Of the 6,248 individuals officially acknowledged by the government as victims of Duterte's War on Drugs, estimates from civil society organizations suggest the true toll could be as high as 12,000 to 30,000. Among those killed were innocent children, such as the three-year-old Myca Ulpina, the youngest victim of EJKs, and students like Kian delos Santos, who begged for his life on the floor, hoping to take his exams the next day. Both were brutally murdered by the pull of a trigger from corrupt and incompetent men in uniform.
Yet, the man behind this abhorrent act—Duterte—remains beloved by his disciples, who demand selective human rights protection while failing to recognize that he was fortunate enough to be granted due process, despite once issuing inhumane orders that stripped victims of their rights to it. To clear things out: Duterte was not kidnapped, contrary to the claims by his daughter, Veronica Duterte. His arrest was based on a valid warrant, and as stated in Article 127 of the Rome Statute, the ICC maintains authority over crimes committed before the Philippines officially withdrew on March 17, 2019. The withdrawal, however, does not nullify or halt proceedings that began prior to its enforcement.
Lest we forget, much as anger may demand the immediate execution of criminals and rapists, the Philippine government and its institutions must remain bound by law. As enshrined in Article III, Section 1 of the Supreme Law of the Land (1987 Philippine Constitution), which ensures no one shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process, and that all are entitled to equal protection under the law. Ironically, his shoot-to-kill orders trampled on this fundamental principle.
It is time to think critically—after all, he’s a lawyer, isn’t he? Surely, he is well aware of the law... and yet, he chose to do the exact opposite. For the sins he has willfully committed against the powerless, let justice rise from the ashes of his brutality.
Political Interests in a Crippled Justice System
Alongside with the arrests of Duterte, President Bongbong Marcos stated in a news conference that Duterte’s arrest was “proper and correct” and not an act of political persecution, since the Philippines is a member of Interpol. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the Marcos administration for surrendering her father to a foreign court, which currently has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.
However, when analyzed from a political perspective, this arrest seems to maintain the instability of the Marcos administration, which has caused its power to wane. Nevertheless, it must also be noted that as long as the Dutertes remain in the country, their strong support among the masses persists. To counter this, it appears the ICC was chosen as the venue to strip Duterte of the opportunity to rally and gain public sympathy.
On the other hand, the potential impeachment of Sara Duterte and Marcos’ cooperation with the ICC to weaken Sara’s political machinery ahead of the 2028 elections could backfire. This misstep by the administration might ignite the masses’ fervent emotions and sympathy, potentially triggering negative feedback.
During his leadership from 2016 to 2022, Duterte was dubbed “The Trump of Asia,” gaining popularity by portraying himself as an enforcer, nationalist, and peace-bringer, using language filled with insults and threats. However, the harsh reality behind this image reveals lies hidden behind a mask of pretenses. It is crucial for the masses to see that Duterte’s imprisonment is not only about justice but also about holding the truly guilty accountable. The motives behind this move must align with due process and not serve the personal agendas of certain politicians. Ultimately, the welfare of the Filipino people should prevail, alongside the advancement of truth, justice, and integrity in the country’s bureaucratic system.
ICC: Court of the Last ResiSTANCE
The ICC's actions are the result of efforts by individuals and groups advocating for human rights. For instance, Senator Leila de Lima, despite being imprisoned for opposing the killings, initiated a Senate investigation into the matter. Similarly, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva and forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun supported the victims' families and conducted examinations to uncover the true causes of death. Yet, in the end, they share the same fate as the innocent victims, silenced as if bullets were used to muzzle the tip of their tongues, to suppress cries for justice against the greedy and power-hungry.
Under Duterte's administration, a number of innocent Filipinos, mostly from impoverished communities, were killed in the campaign against illegal drugs… many of whom were already mired in poverty. What ignorance the police displayed during those times, coupled with the administration's flawed system. The lack of action and accountability within our country has driven victims and human rights defenders to turn to the ICC.
Our institutions, which should protect the rights of every citizen, have failed in their duty. A culture of fear and silence prevailed, and the voices of the oppressed were sidelined. Instead of serving as a refuge for justice, our system became an instrument of human rights violations. It is painful to think that as Filipinos, an innocent victim of any violence must grope in the dark for justice that is so difficult to grasp, dying and decaying in the grave before tasting the justice denied by a system that merely plays hide-and-seek.
Duterte's arrest serves as a reminder that justice can be achieved, but it is also a challenge for us to reflect on and reform our institutions to prevent such tragedies from happening again—a tragedy that continues to blind Filipinos to the grim fate of their fellow countrymen.
The few cents of hardship endured by the masses now lie in their own hands as the key to solving this deeply rooted problem. A significant contribution can be made by wisely choosing competent leaders, especially in the upcoming elections. The truth is, neither of the two parties have accomplished anything entirely commendable that their supporters can boast about. The nauseating winds of the nation will not change if Filipinos continue to tolerate the mistakes of ignorant leaders who do nothing but embellish their promises and drown everyone in their appalling corruption and deceit. Do not be blinded by popularity; instead, thoroughly scrutinize the track record and capabilities of the candidates. The name of the Philippines is already stained with blood, and this time, let there be no more manipulative and abusive individuals in power who will sink it further into the deep mire of intolerable destruction of the country's democracy.
At last, for die-hard Duterte supporters, his arrest is wholly unacceptable; it is as if the country lost its greatest leader. But for the families of tens of thousands of War on Drugs victims, including Kian delos Santos, children, and innocent lives, this is more than just an arrest—it is a reckoning, a long-overdue step toward the justice they have long been denied. Let it be known, time and again: no one is, or will ever be, above the law. Duterte once ruled with an iron fist, but justice has a longer arm—one that stretches past borders, past power, and past fear—long enough to pull even the most iron-fisted rulers into its grasp.
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