Manila, Philippines – Almost eight years ago, brothers Crisanto and Juan Carlos were found dead in Quezon City after being accused of robbery by the police. Their mother, Llore Pasco, was devastated and spent years without hope for justice. However, news of the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has brought renewed hope for Pasco and other victims of the country’s brutal war on drugs.
Duterte, who ordered thousands of killings of suspected drug users and dealers during his time in power, was served an arrest warrant by Interpol at Manila airport. He was flown to The Hague where he will face charges of crimes against humanity.
Family members of victims of extrajudicial killings, such as Christine Pascual and Luzviminda Siapo, expressed relief and hope for justice finally being served. They shared stories of their loved ones, like Pascual’s son who was killed by police after a gaming tournament, and Siapo’s son who was falsely accused of selling drugs and then shot dead.
During a news conference, Emily Soriano, the mother of a 15-year-old victim, called for accountability from all those involved in the killings, including Senator Ronald dela Rosa who was the chief police enforcer during Duterte’s war on drugs. Soriano emphasized that her son was not a drug user and was wrongly targeted by authorities.
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan stated that Duterte’s arrest is a significant step for the victims and demonstrates that the rule of law can prevail. While Duterte is presumed innocent, the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines will continue, covering the period before and during his presidency. The arrests have brought hope for justice for the families who have suffered loss and pain due to the war on drugs.
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