Duterte arrest 'pivotal' point in seeking justice for drug war victims, says bishops' group

The Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF), a fellowship of Catholic and Protestant bishops, expressed a “profound sense of anticipation” on the recent arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the alleged crimes against humanity committed under his administration’s deadly drug war. 

In a statement Thursday, the EBF said Duterte’s arrest is “seen as a pivotal point in the quest for justice and accountability for the many impoverished victims and their families who have tirelessly sought truth and restitution”.

“The ICC took action against Duterte because of claims of impunity. This brought up controversial issues between state authority and court jurisdiction,” said the EBF. 

“Duterte’s adherents claim his arrest was illegal because the Philippines withdrew its ICC membership in 2019. The opposing viewpoint maintains nonetheless that the alleged offenses are still within the ICC’s jurisdiction, as they were committed by Duterte prior to the country’s withdrawal from the ICC,” the group said. 

It can be recalled the former president withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 after the tribunal began a preliminary probe into his administration’s deadly drug war, followed by the launch of a formal inquiry later that year. However, the Supreme Court in 2021 said the Philippines has the obligation to cooperate with the ICC despite its withdrawal from the Rome Statute.

Based on government records, at least 6,200 people were killed in police operations during the controversial campaign. Data from human rights groups, however, said the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000.

“The EBF profoundly conveys its solidarity with the Filipino people, especially those who have suffered immense pain and violence at the hands of the forces of darkness. We recognize the steadfast and committed work of our partner organizations in championing justice for the victims and their families,” the bishops said. 

“The arrest of a strongman like Rodrigo Duterte serves us a reminder that failing to punish wrongdoing encourages more evil which is echoed in Ecclesiastes 8:11,” the EBF said. 

The EBF likewise called on authorities to “keep the wheels of justice turning”. 

“God detests injustice that allows the wicked to get away with it while the innocent suffer. We call on them to uphold the words in Proverbs 17:15,” it said. 

The statement was signed by Bishop Joseph G. Agpaoa  of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines; EBF co-chairperson retired Rev. Nestor G. Poltic, Sr.; EBF General Secretary retired Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco; Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella  of the United Methodist Church; and retired Reverend Emelyn G. Dacuycuy of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. 

The EBF is a fellowship of bishops from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, United Methodist Church, ng Iglesia Metodista sa Pilipinas, Episcopal Church in the Philippines, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and the Roman Catholic Churches in the Philippines. —Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News