Catholic bishops in the Philippines have expressed hope that the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte marks a step toward accountability and sets a precedent for addressing human rights violations in the country. Source: CBCP News.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan said Mr Duterte’s arrest is a crucial move toward justice for the thousands killed in his deadly drug war.
“True justice … is about accountability, transparency, and the protection of human dignity,” said Bishop Bagaforo, who is also president of Caritas Philippines.
“For years, former president Duterte has claimed that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions. Now is the time for him to prove it,” he said.
Mr Duterte is in police custody after Interpol served him with an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity upon his arrival at Manila’s international airport yesterday.
The ICC has been investigating the brutal anti-drugs crackdown that Mr Duterte oversaw while he was in office.
According to UCA News, human rights groups and Church organisations estimate that between 12,000 to 30,000 people, mostly poor drug suspects from squalid ghettos and underbellies of the Catholic-majority nation, were killed during Mr Duterte’s regime.
Mr Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, but an appeals judge ruled that prosecutors still had jurisdiction over the alleged crimes because they occurred when the country was still a member.
Most cases investigated by the ICC took place between 2016 and 2019. The probe also covers alleged crimes committed when Mr Duterte was mayor of Davao.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos emphasised the need for justice, stating that the victims and their families deserve truth and reparations.
“These killings were not random; they were part of a policy that violated the fundamental right to life,” said Bishop Alminaza, who is also vice president of the national Caritas.
“The families of the victims deserve truth, reparations, and justice. As a nation, we must ensure that such crimes never happen again,” he said.
FULL STORY
Bishops say Duterte arrest a step toward accountability, justice (CBCP News)
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