Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Nuns who are members of the Catholic church join a protest denouncing the government's bloody drug war as they march and then hold a human chain near their church in Quezon City on Tuesday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174177451981220170829-catholic-ejk-protest--3-JC.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Nuns who are members of the Catholic church join a protest denouncing the government&#x27;s bloody drug war as they march and then hold a human chain near their church in Quezon City on Tuesday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Nuns who are members of the Catholic church join a protest denouncing the government&#x27;s bloody drug war as they march and then hold a human chain near their church in Quezon City on Tuesday. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Several international human rights groups have lauded the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a &quot;long-overdue victory against impunity&quot; as he was set to face the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his bloody drug war.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/11/dozens-of-cops-at-naia-ahead-of-rodrigo-duterte-s-expected-arrival-0951">Ex-President Duterte arrested on ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity</a></div><p>&quot;Former President Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague is a long-overdue victory against impunity that could bring victims and their families a step closer to justice,&quot; according to Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch (HRW).</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/11/rodrigo-duterte-and-icc-from-years-long-probe-to-unexpected-arrest-1927">Rodrigo Duterte and ICC: From years-long probe to &#x27;unexpected&#x27; arrest</a></div><p>HRW said Duterte&#x27;s arrest should send a message to despots around the world that the time of reckoning will come.</p><p>“This momentous event sends a message to human rights abusers everywhere that one day they could be held to account,&quot; Lau said.</p><p>The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) also said the arrest of Duterte sends a &quot;resounding message that crimes against humanity will not go unpunished.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/12/palace-defends-duterte-arrest-to-help-serve-more-icc-arrest-warrants-1249">Palace defends Duterte arrest, to help serve more ICC arrest warrants</a></div><p>&quot;Duterte’s arrest is the beginning of accountability for the mass killings that defined his brutal rule... His arrest should serve as a stark warning to all war criminals, including those currently in power... Impunity has limits,&quot; ICHRP chairperson Peter Murphy said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/12/-kinilabutan-kami-families-of-ejk-victims-react-to-duterte-s-arrest-1531">&#x27;Kinilabutan kami&#x27;: Families of EJK victims react to Duterte’s arrest</a></div><p>Amnesty International secretary general Agnès Callamard issued a same warning to criminals around the world who believe they can always get away with their crimes.</p><p>&quot;To all those in power now who think they are above the law, think twice, think carefully. Time will come: you will not enjoy impunity forever, no matter how powerful you are now,&quot; she said.</p><p>Callamard was previously the UN special rapporteur for extrajudicial killings.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/21/17/un-calls-out-duterte-for-threats-against-callamard">UN calls out Duterte for threats against Callamard</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/05/05/17/un-rapporteurs-wikipedia-page-defaced-upon-visit-to-ph">UN rapporteur&#x27;s Wikipedia page defaced upon visit to PH</a></div><p>ICHRP also paid tribute to the victims of the drug war as well as the activists and other organizations who refused to give up in their fight for justice.</p><p>“This is a historic moment for the victims and their families who have long suffered under Duterte’s reign of terror,&quot; the group said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/11/wife-of-ejk-victim-reacts-to-dutertes-arrest-siya-inaresto-yung-asawa-ko-binaril-2315">&#x27;Buti pa siya inaresto, yung asawa ko binaril agad&#x27;: Wife of EJK victim on Duterte&#x27;s arrest</a></div><p>Duterte, 79, faces a charge of &quot;the crime against humanity of murder&quot;, according to the ICC, for the crackdown in which rights groups estimate tens of thousands of mostly poor men were killed by officers and vigilantes, often without proof they were linked to drugs.</p><p>The Gulfstream G550 bringing him to the Hague, where he will face trial before the ICC, took off at 11:03 p.m. from Villamor Air Base on Tuesday. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WdC4m1Ian8U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines said the arrest of Duterte sends a "resounding message that crimes against humanity will not go unpunished."</p>

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines said the arrest of Duterte sends a "resounding message that crimes against humanity will not go unpunished."

Duterte's arrest a 'warning' vs powerful abusers around the world: groups

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Duterte's arrest a 'warning' vs powerful abusers around the world: groups

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 12, 2025 06:51 PM PHT

Read More:

ICC

International Criminal Court

impunity

EJK

drug war

war on drugs

crimes against humanity

Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte

justice

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.