The families of those killed in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs say his arrest marks a step toward justice, though it can never erase the pain and loss they have suffered.
Duterte was taken into custody upon his arrival in Manila from Hong Kong, following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The warrant stems from his alleged role in extrajudicial killings (EJKs) committed during his administration’s aggressive anti-drug campaign.
Human rights organizations estimate that more than 30,000 individuals were killed during the drug war—many of them accused without evidence and executed without due process.
For the bereaved families, Duterte’s arrest offers some relief but does little to mend the devastation left behind.
“At least he was only arrested. Our loved ones were killed on the spot,” said Amy Jane Lee, whose husband, Michael, was fatally shot in 2017 in a drug-related incident.
Dahlia Cuartero, whose son Jesus was also a victim of the drug war, expressed a mix of emotions upon hearing the news.
“I felt unparalleled happiness today, along with tears of joy over Duterte’s arrest,” she said.
Calls for wider accountability
Rise Up, an advocacy group for drug war victims, insists that Duterte should not be the only one held accountable. The organization is demanding justice for the police officers and government officials who executed and enforced his brutal anti-drug policies.
“We call for Duterte to feel the pain we have endured,” the group said.
“The people will hold him accountable—especially the families of those victimized. Justice is coming,” it added.