After the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, varied reactions emerged, especially from families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims.
Many see this as a crucial step toward justice, hoping it will bring accountability for the thousands of lives lost during his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
Eunila Aguilar, whose son-in-law Dante Santos was killed in August 2017, is one of the many grieving families seeking justice.
Now at 75 years old, she struggles to support her two grandchildren since Santos’s death.
She expressed her deep frustration, stating her hope that Duterte would face the full extent of the law and voicing her desire for him to “rot and die in jail.”
Her sentiments reflect the anguish of those left behind by the brutal campaign against illegal drugs, which many argue led to widespread extrajudicial killing.
Similarly, other families of extrajudicial killing victims have welcomed Duterte’s arrest.
They have long sought accountability for the deaths of their loved ones, many of whom were killed without due process.
This development is seen as a potential turning point in addressing human rights violations under Duterte’s leadership.
Duterte’s war on drugs, which began in 2016, resulted in thousands of deaths.
Official police records cite over 6,200 fatalities, but human rights organizations estimate the number to be much higher, alleging that many killings were extrajudicial.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) launched an investigation in 2018 to examine these alleged crimes against humanity.
Duterte’s arrest has reignited discussions on the drug war’s impact on Filipino society.
Families affected by the campaign continue to struggle with the loss of their loved ones while navigating a complex legal and political landscape.
Many believe Duterte’s arrest is a long-overdue acknowledgment of their suffering and a critical step toward accountability for EJK Duterte cases.
As legal proceedings unfold, the nation watches closely, hoping this development leads to a thorough examination of the policies and actions that resulted in widespread human rights abuses.
The fight for justice for victims of extrajudicial killings is still a big issue in the Philippines, and Duterte’s arrest is like a step toward holding those responsible accountable.
EJK, or extrajudicial killing, refers to the killing of a person by government authorities or individuals without legal proceedings or due process. In the Philippines, EJK became a major human rights concern during Duterte’s presidency.
Official police records cite over 6,200 deaths related to anti-drug operations. However, human rights groups estimate the number to be much higher, alleging that many of these killings were unlawful and targeted individuals without proper investigation.
The ICC launched an investigation into Duterte’s war on drugs in 2018, citing possible crimes against humanity. The court’s goal is to determine whether Duterte and other officials should be held legally responsible for the alleged extrajudicial killings.
Keep Reading: Former President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested Following ICC Crimes Against Humanity Case
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