Filipino Spiritual Leaders Unite in Solidarity with Families of Victims of Drug War under Duterte Regime

In a lovely display of solidarity and compassion, Filipino religious leaders recently received the families of victims who had perished in the much-criticized drug war initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte. This moving thanksgiving Mass, held three weeks after Duterte's arrest and detention by the International Criminal Court (ICC), underscored the Church's steadfast commitment to justice and human rights.

A Gathering of Hope and Solidarity

On March 24, 2025, the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP) conducted a meeting called "Rising at the Table of Hope" at the Minor Basilica of San Pedro Bautista in Quezon City, northern Metro Manila. The CMSP, a highly revered institution with 370 religious societies and congregations of apostolic life in the Philippines, boasts a rich heritage of advocating for social justice, particularly during the difficult times of the Marcos administration from 1972 to 1986.

In their letter to the event, the CMSP extended their deepest solidarity to the victim families: "To victim families, you are not alone. Your pain is our pain, your struggle is our struggle, and your hope is our hope. Together, we will continue to rise, to remember, and to work toward a future where justice and peace reign."

This gathering was only three days after the CMSP anniversary of 70 years, and it was a reflection of the organization's years-long dedication to human rights and social justice. Its anniversary activity was a bitter reminder of the organization's continued mission of staying with the marginalized and struggling for institutional transformation.

The Context: Duterte's Arrest and Its Implications

The CMSP display of unity was placed in the backdrop of significant political and legal developments. Former President Rodrigo Duterte was detained in Manila on March 11, 2025, pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The arrest is in connection with crimes against humanity as mayor of Davao City and president, particularly for the violent anti-drug campaign that cost thousands of lives.

The ICC's arrest warrant listed Duterte's suspected involvement in extrajudicial killings, initially as a mayor and later as president. The court observed that the aforementioned crimes were committed while the Philippines was still a member of the ICC, thereby exercising the court's jurisdiction over events that occurred before the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.

Following his arrest, Duterte was taken to the Netherlands, in The Hague, to answer for his deeds before the ICC. Legal action has attracted a range of reactions, both domestically and internationally, reflecting the complex record of Duterte's policies.

Response and Current Problems

The arrest has elicited mixed reactions across the Philippines. Duterte's loyalists, tens of thousands strong, gathered in Davao City on his 80th birthday to protest the arrest and demand his return. Victims' families and human rights activists have also faced online harassment and disinformation efforts by some of Duterte's supporters, which made it hard for them to pursue justice.

Human rights advocates have greeted the arrest as an important milestone in pursuit of accountability, calling to end the sprawling human rights crimes of Duterte's war on drugs. They speak of upholding the rule of law and respecting the due process of the criminal justice system whereby perpetrators of acts committed will face justice.

Nevertheless, legal action remains a challenge, notably the jurisdiction of the ICC and the possibilities of prosecution domestically. The stance of the Philippine government regarding these issues remains an object of fiery debate, reflective of the nation's persistent inability to grapple with its own past conduct against its commitment to international human rights standards.

Looking Ahead: The Path to Justice and Reconciliation

The CMSP's action in declaring the families of victims of the drug war as a sign of healing and reconciliation is a welcome step towards redemption. In actively acknowledging the agony and suffering experienced by these families, the Church fosters a culture of understanding and compassion and encourages greater society to accept injustices of the past.

In the future, religious and secular institutions have to join hands to create justice and healing. This entails supporting legal processes, providing psychological and emotional counseling to families of victims, and conducting public education towards the prevention of recurrence of such violations of human rights.

The pursuit of justice for the victims of Duterte's war on drugs is more than legal consequences but also the restoration of the dignity of the victims and the establishment of a society that values human rights and the rule of law. With this roundabout journey, the Philippines undertakes, the solidarity demonstrated by such groups as the CMSP instills hope for a more humane and equitable future.

Recent Developments

To date, April 3, 2025, the ex-President Rodrigo Duterte remains in detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, after he was arrested to face trial for crimes against humanity for his government's war on drugs. His arrest has set off controversy over human rights, accountability, and the Philippines' role in global justice mechanisms.

For more in-depth information about the legal hearing and international reactions to Duterte's arrest, you may go through the following articles: