Two members of the House of Representatives called on the public Wednesday to refocus the narrative surrounding the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) move to arrest former President Rodrigo Duterte on the quest for justice of the victims of alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
House Assistant Majority Leaders Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list stressed that the case is not just about Duterte, but about the thousands of EJK victims who were denied justice.
“The ICC case is not about Duterte—it is about the victims,” Adiong and Acidre said in a joint statement. “For years, families of the slain have cried out for justice. They buried their children, their fathers, their brothers, with no accountability for their deaths.”
“Now that justice is finally within reach, Duterte and his allies want to rewrite the narrative, framing this as political persecution. But the real persecution happened in our streets, in our alleys, in our communities—where the powerless were gunned down in cold blood,” they added.
Both lawmakers said that while Duterte’s arrest is a step toward accountability, the events on March 11, 2025 should not overshadow the plight of the victims’ families.
The House Quad Committee has been investigating allegations of a “reward system” for police officers involved in drug-related killings during Duterte’s presidency.
Witness testimonies, including those from former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager and retired police Colonel Royina Garma, have shed light on these practices.
Adiong and Acidre also cited cases of young victims who became symbols of the drug war’s brutality such as:
- Kian delos Santos (17, Grade 11 student) – Killed in 2017 in Caloocan. CCTV footage contradicted police claims that he fought back, showing he was unarmed and executed.
- Carl Angelo Arnaiz (19, former UP student) – Disappeared in 2017, later found dead with multiple gunshot wounds. Forensic evidence suggested he was tortured and shot while handcuffed.
- Reynaldo ‘Kulot’ de Guzman (14) – Went missing also in 2017. Days later, his body was found in a creek in Nueva Ecija, stabbed multiple times.
The lawmakers pointed out that these victims were denied due process. “They were accused, tried, and sentenced in a matter of seconds—not by a court, but by a bullet.”
Duterte’s arrest and ICC probe
Duterte’s arrest follows years of defiance against the ICC, which has been investigating allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign.
In 2018, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute after the ICC launched a preliminary investigation into his drug war. However, legal experts argue that the withdrawal does not absolve him of responsibility for crimes committed while the Philippines was still under the ICC’s jurisdiction.
“He (Duterte) dared the ICC to come after him. He said he would rather die than go to jail. He laughed in the face of justice. Now that justice has caught up with him, he suddenly wants to be protected by the very legal processes he once ridiculed,” the lawmakers said.
Adiong and Acidre also underscored that Duterte is now receiving the legal protections he once dismissed, while his supporters attempt to shield him from accountability.
“This is about accountability, not politics. If we are to be a nation of laws, we must not allow anyone, no matter how powerful, to escape justice,” they said. “Duterte had his time in power. He ruled with an iron fist. He made a mockery of human rights. Now, he must face the consequences.”
