By Juliane Judilla
Various multi-sectoral groups staged a picket protest in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on March 11, following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity.
Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Panay, the groups demanded justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, which resulted in the deaths of more than 12,000 Filipinos from 2016 to 2022, according to Human Rights Watch.
Of these killings, 2,555 were reportedly carried out by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The protesters also highlighted 30 recorded EJK victims on Panay Island, including:
-Jory Porquia, Bayan Muna Iloilo City coordinator
-John Farochilin, Pamanggas council member
-Nine Tumandok chieftains, allegedly massacred by state forces
MAKABAYAN senatorial candidates Rep. Arlene Brosas, Amirah Lidasan, Mody Floranda, Mimi Doringo, and former Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago joined the protest and later spoke at a press conference.
Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas cited the case of Kian delos Santos, a teenager wrongfully killed by police in 2017 and falsely labeled a drug user.
Brosas emphasized that Kian’s case is just one of many involving children slain during the drug war, whose families still await justice.
“We can no longer bring back their lives, so what happened today is a step forward for justice,” Brosas said.
Moro leader Amirah Lidasan condemned state-sponsored human rights violations, particularly those targeting activists and human rights defenders.
“Martial Law in Mindanao and the dismissal of peace negotiations led to a bloody witch hunt against ordinary citizens who were simply fighting for their rights,” Lidasan said.
She also urged the public to remember the nine Tumandok leaders killed in Central Panay, allegedly for resisting the Jalaur Dam construction.
BAYAN-Panay Secretary General Elmer Forro called on Filipinos to continue demanding accountability from Duterte.
“It’s not enough for him to just be imprisoned; he should rot in jail to pay for the killings of Jory Porquia, John Farochilin, the Tumandok 9, and other victims of his administration,” Forro said.
Former Sen. Leila de Lima, a long-time critic of Duterte’s drug war, praised the arrest, saying it signified justice for victims and their families.
“Today, Duterte is being held accountable—not to me, but to the victims, their families, and a world that refuses to forget. This is not about vengeance. It’s about justice being served,” de Lima said.
Duterte was arrested by INTERPOL Manila after authorities received the official copy of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
The warrant was served at exactly 9:20 a.m., immediately after Duterte arrived in Manila from Hong Kong.
The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) welcomed Duterte’s arrest, calling it a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for victims of his administration’s war on drugs.
The Philippine government confirmed receipt of the ICC arrest warrant and carried out the arrest accordingly.
CALD emphasized that an ICC trial is necessary to expose the atrocities committed under Duterte’s leadership and to hold accountable those responsible for these deplorable acts.
The organization also reiterated its stance that while combating illegal drugs is a valid state goal, it must be done within the bounds of law and human rights obligations.
CALD believes Duterte’s arrest proves that no one is above the law.
As the ICC trial unfolds, the organization remains hopeful that justice will finally be served for the thousands of victims of the drug war.
