Filipino Bishops Support Duterte’s Arrest as Progress Toward Accountability

Filipino bishops hailed Duterte’s arrest for crimes against humanity as a significant step toward accountability for human rights violations. His tenure saw numerous alleged extrajudicial killings primarily targeting impoverished men. The Catholic Church and human rights organizations have expressed support for the arrest, emphasizing the necessity for justice and transparency in the country’s legal system.

Bishops in the Philippines have expressed their support for the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity, considering it a significant move toward accountability and a step towards rectifying human rights violations in the nation. Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, was apprehended at Manila airport on March 11 as a result of an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant stemming from an extensive investigation into his deadly “war on drugs.”

The controversial war on drugs has long been associated with numerous extrajudicial killings, particularly targeting young men from impoverished communities. Official police statistics document over 6,200 extrajudicial killings; however, independent organizations estimate the actual number is substantially higher, possibly reaching between 12,000 and 30,000 fatalities, often under dubious circumstances. The ICC’s investigation encompasses the period from 2011 to 2019, during which Duterte also served as mayor of Davao, his family’s political stronghold.

The forced extradition of Duterte to The Hague has generated considerable approval from the Catholic Church, human rights organizations, and the families of victims. In contrast, his supporters view the arrest as an unjust act against a leader perceived to have improved national security. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of Caritas Philippines firmly stated that the killings associated with Duterte’s regime were deliberate and constituted a systematic violation of the right to life. Reports to the ICC claim that Duterte maintained a “death squad” to target drug suspects in Davao and subsequently expanded this approach nationwide during his presidency.

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan described Duterte’s arrest as a vital step toward justice, emphasizing that “true justice is about accountability, transparency, and the protection of human dignity.” He further urged the former president to honor his previous claims of readiness to confront the consequences of his actions. On March 11, the Catholic Church’s humanitarian division called for truth, reparations, and justice for the victims, recognizing Duterte’s arrest as a turning point for the Philippines and advocating for the rule of law.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay stressed the necessity of investigating the crimes committed during Duterte’s administration, emphasizing that democracy requires accountability and that no individual is above the law. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have affirmed that this arrest is a crucial step towards accountability in the Philippines. Despite Duterte’s claims of the ICC lacking jurisdiction following his withdrawal in 2019, legal experts assert that the ICC retains authority to address crimes committed prior to a nation’s exit from the tribunal.

The recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of accountability for human rights violations in the Philippines. Supported by bishops and human rights organizations, this action underscores the need for justice and reinforces the principle that no individual is above the law. As the nation grapples with the implications of Duterte’s actions, calls for truth and reparations continue, highlighting the importance of upholding human dignity and protecting human rights.

Original Source: www.vaticannews.va