The arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague marks a pivotal moment for those seeking justice for the thousands of lives lost during his reign. The then-Philippine leader launched a violent crackdown on drugs and crime, resulting in an estimated 30,000 extrajudicial killings.
Many brave Filipinos, including Catholic priests, politicians, journalists, and relatives of victims, have worked tirelessly to expose the horrors of the deadly campaign and collect evidence to hold Duterte accountable. Key figures in this movement include Fr Flaviano Villanueva, a priest who led Project Arise to exhume and cremate bodies of victims, and Dr Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist who re-examined dead bodies to contradict official accounts.
Randy delos Santos, a bereaved uncle whose nephew was killed during Duterte’s anti-drugs crackdown, said he felt numb but hopeful after the arrest. He has given evidence to the ICC investigation and hopes the court will hold other high-ranking officials accountable for their actions.
Filipino photographer Raffy Lerma, known as one of the “night crawlers,” documented the gruesome murders during the early days of Duterte’s drug war. His photographs helped expose the reality on the ground and counter misinformation about the killings.
The arrest of Duterte marks a new chapter of hope for families affected by his regime. As Justice Secretary Claro Castellano said, “Today, the pursuit of justice continues.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/14/the-senator-the-priest-the-forensic-pathologist-the-people-who-bought-ex-president-duterte-to-justice