After nine long years, families of the early victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the violent drug war under former president Rodrigo Duterte can tearfully say there is justice after all. It just seemed to take forever.
Iron-fisted Rodrigo Duterte, the first Asian former head of state to be issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, is now officially in the custody of the ICC in the Netherlands. He landed in Rotterdam on Wednesday, March 12, at 11:53 pm Manila time.
Cliché as it may sound, it is true that the wheels of justice grind exceedingly slow. As we have seen, this is true not only in the Philippines, but also in international courts like the ICC.
No less than ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said: “Many say that international law is not as strong as we want, and I agree with that. But I also repeatedly emphasize that international law is not as weak as some may think. When we come together, when we work, when we build partnerships, the rule of law can prevail.”
Journalists have long followed this story of human brutality — listened to piercing wailings of victims’ kin and witnessed their seemingly unending grief over the sight of lifeless, bloodied bodies of their loved ones. Remember 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, shot and killed by policemen in a dark alley near his home in Caloocan City and who became the face of victims of the drug war?
Remember the 32 who were killed and the 107 arrested in what was called a “one-time, big-time” operation in Bulacan in 2017? Remember 16-year-old Charlie Saladaga who was murdered by a vigilante group in 2018? Remember how Central Luzon in 2019 became notorious for its number of drug war deaths?
Remember how it was discovered in 2022 that family members of EJK victims were forced to lie about causes of their kins’ death? Remember how the remains of EJK victims faced eviction because their families could not afford to pay for their graves?
Recall the first witnesses and whistleblowers, Edgar Matobato, an illiterate member of the Davao Death Squad (DDS) who was humiliated by senators when he appeared before them. Recall how the affidavit of Arturo Lascañas, a trusted associate of Duterte, exposed the ugly innards of the DDS (Read: The Lascañas Affidavit | ‘I killed for Duterte’).
These poignant stories remind us never to forget. They are also testimony to how long it took to get to where Duterte is today.
Duterte in The Hague did not happen in an instant; it was a protracted and painful journey that might not have happened had there been no rupture in the Uniteam alliance (a marriage of convenience) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his Vice President Sara Duterte.
WITH ICC. Rappler’s justice and human rights cluster led by Lian Buan, Jairo Bolledo, and Jodesz Gavilan aggressively steered our coverage of Duterte’s arrest all the way to his arrival at Rotterdam The Hague Airport. Rappler first broke the story on Saturday, March 8, about a possible warrant being issued.
Not long after it was served on Duterte, questions about the legality of procedures and enforcement of the warrant itself were raised by his supporters. Lian addresses some of these questions here: What are the legal issues in Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague?
On Wednesday, March 12, Jairo interviewed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla about the arrest. Watch it here — Rappler Talk: Behind the scenes of Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.
Jodesz did research on what incarceration conditions would look like for Duterte — Duterte in The Hague: Inside the ICC Detention Center.
Here’s a compilation of other must-read stories related to Duterte’s arrest in case you were preoccupied in the past few days:
- LIVE UPDATES: Rodrigo Duterte arrested over ICC case
- ICC warrant: Rodrigo Duterte used DDS, law enforcers to kill ‘criminals’
- DOCUMENT: ICC arrest warrant against Rodrigo Duterte
- Ex-president Rodrigo Duterte arrested over crimes against humanity
- Duterte, whose drug war killed thousands, cries for due process
- Philippines sends Rodrigo Duterte to International Criminal Court
- LIVESTREAM: Marcos holds press conference on Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest
- Things to know about Interpol
- What is the International Crimnal Court that prompted Duterte’s arrest?
It’s been truly a breathless week thus far. But it has not been all about Duterte and the ICC only. Here are other stories that kept us busy and sleepless. We have been able to do all these, thanks to your valuable support.
Alleged Chinese spy took 35 days to survey 120 critical spots in Luzon
Deng Yuanqing’s wife insists he was doing surveying work for a company that specializes in self-driving cars. But he didn’t have the permits to do so.
Filipino raises red flags in Chinese surveying job over Luzon
Deng Yuanqing and the two Filipino drivers’ Luzon project took them around Luzon to map out at 120 military camps, ports, and energy infra in at least 18 provinces.
Mapping the scandal-plagued business fortunes of Zaldy Co
Zaldy Co, the recently removed chairman of the House budget committee, is a tycoon who has built a successful construction empire.
Zaldy Co still ‘beneficial owner’ of scandal-ridden public works contractor
Congressman Zaldy Co may have sold his stake in Sunwest’s scandal-plagued infrastructure arm, but documents show he, his family, and friends continue to be active shareholders of other businesses closely tied to the company.
Filipino migrant fishers toil on foreign vessels, return home with unpaid wages
Some migrant fishers get a few months’ worth of salary, others get nothing. They could either file a case and wait years, or settle for only part of what they worked for in the high seas.
– Rappler.com
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