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Since Duterte’s arrest on March 11, families of the victims seem to have been laughing more lately–in between tears. For them, Duterte’s arrest brought mixed emotions. They are happy that he is finally arrested but also restless of the thought that he might still get out and other perpetrators are not yet held accountable.
Our fellow Bicolanos deserve genuine change in the country. Our Makabayan candidates echo their aspirations."
Does he mean reports that there were 119 extrajudicial killings, 76 frustrated extrajudicial killings, 14 enforced disappearances, 762 political prisoners and 3,706,431 cases of threats, harassment and intimidation as of the end of 2024?”
"My wish is for Duterte to be convicted. I pray that God grants him long life so he can be held accountable for all the killings he ordered. This way, we can achieve justice. He can grow old in that place."
“It takes a lot of strength for women to deal with something as devastating as the disappearance of a loved one. To be able to confront it,” Rutsi said. “They humanize the victims, in a way that does not undermine their political cause.”
“I find Michelle as one of the brilliant and intelligent Lumad students of Alcadev. Like many indigenous youth who received education from this alternative learning institution, they have a stark characteristic: they are empowered enough to live and assert the indigenous peoples’ right to self determination.”
"We arrived here in Plaridel only to be told that the arraignment was canceled. This is part of the slow justice system in the Philippines. To begin with, there should have been no case filed against us, yet here we are, being made to suffer. Time and resources of environmental organizations and human rights advocates are being wasted."
“It's time UST truly invests in its people,” USTFU President Emerito Gonzales said.
“This dismissal proves what we have always known: their accusations were built on lies, and their only goal was to weaken the resistance of the people. But they have failed.”
“This long-awaited development marks a significant victory for the thousands of victims of Duterte’s bloody war on drugs and their families as well as the repression and brutal killings of activists and civilian communities, who have relentlessly fought for justice despite threats, intimidation, and state repression.”
Kristina Conti has never seen being a lawyer as a glamorous job recalling how her mother was paid in the form of bananas, fish, and other trinkets. And although she now also stands as the 5th nominee for Bayan Muna Partylist, she said that she has no expectations to become a lawmaker.
“Online bashers have clearly demonstrated the continuing threat of a Duterte ‘hate’ network to families-victims as well as to witnesses of drug war killings."
The reason why Duterte withdrew from the ICC is to evade accountability. Now that he is in ICC’s custody, it is only right that the Philippines rejoin (ICC) for justice and accountability which is the long time call of the families of the victims of rights violations under the Duterte administration."
"The arrest is something, a message to the leaders that impunity is not forever."
UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor and Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard have emphasized the importance of this moment for the victims of Duterte's controversial "war on drugs," calling for further accountability and legal action. As Duterte prepares for his initial hearing on March 14, the international community has urged continued efforts to address ongoing human rights violations in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Oceana acting vice-president Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio reminds local government officials and all enforcement agencies to continue fulfilling their statutory mandate to protect the 15-kilometer municipal waters from commercial fishing operations.
“Marcos should show that this is part of an effort against impunity. So, it’s important for him to file cases, not just against Duterte, but also against others. It’s important to reverse the legacy of impunity that Duterte laid down. This way, people can say, 'It’s not just politics.' This is really about addressing the problem of impunity."
“We will not be swayed. Our loved ones were killed, mercilessly desecrated and it was inhumane. Until now, the situation of the victims’ families is still not good,” Jane Lee, who lost her husband in Duterte’s “war on drugs” said.
“We condemn the military’s ploys and urge them to uphold transparency in accordance with Republic Act No. 10353—especially if they have nothing to hide,” the fact-finding team stated.
“There are mixed emotions among all the families of the victims. We hope that Bato and Go will be included as well. This is the day of reckoning for the powerful Duterte, who mercilessly took the lives of our loved ones."
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