Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Families of drug war victims expressed relief and hope for justice following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte during a press conference at the UCCP Chapel in Quezon City on March 12, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DUTERTE ARREST

Paige Javier

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/174245458476720250312-duterte-ikulong-ejk-widows-MT06.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Families of drug war victims expressed relief and hope for justice following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte during a press conference at the UCCP Chapel in Quezon City on March 12, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Some House leaders on Thursday said majority of Filipinos want accountability on the alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing a recent survey from the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS).</p><div><a 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>The latest SWS survey showed majority or 51 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte must be held liable for the drug suspects killed during anti-illegal drug operations.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s a clear message from the people na supportive sila sa pangyayari, especially for the former President to have time, to have his day in court sa ICC,&quot; House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Norte said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/16/duterte-assembles-defense-team-with-international-law-expert-as-lead-counsel-0009">Legal experts weigh in on possible clash between SC and ICC</a></div><p>&quot;Apart from the technicalities that we&#x27;ve been hearing from different lawyers, legal opinions on how an arrest warrant from the ICC or Interpol should be carried out… I think the public is focused more on why he is there in the first place, not the technicalities,&quot; he added.</p><p>Adiong said the survey results showed Filipinos value human rights and justice. </p><p>&quot;Ang paniwala ko po yung Pilipino, mataas yung kanilang moralidad at ethical standard. So whatever technicalities or innuendos to obfuscate the real issue at hand, they still focus on why he is there in the first place. And that is to face the charges against him for the death of more than 30,000 Filipinos during his time,&quot; he shared.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/16/duterte-assembles-defense-team-with-international-law-expert-as-lead-counsel-0009">Duterte assembles defense team with international law expert as lead counsel</a></div><p>Adiong said Duterte would not be in this position if the justice system in the country worked in the first place.</p><p>Congress, where Duterte used to have supermajority support, lauded and defended the bloody drug war when Duterte was president.</p><p>House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union, meanwhile said the voice of the Filipinos must be respected.</p><p>&quot;No leader, no matter how popular, should be above the law. The survey tells us what we already know – mga Pilipino gusto ng hustisya. Hindi porket malakas sa masa noon, exempted ka na sa pananagutan ngayon,&quot; Ortega said in a separate statement.</p><p>(The survey tells us what we already know – Filipinos want justice. Just because it had broad support before does not exempt you from accountability now)</p><p>The La Union lawmaker emphasized that Duterte&#x27;s arrest is &quot;not about politics but about accountability.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/19/most-pinoys-agree-duterte-must-be-held-liable-for-ejk-victims-of-his-drug-war-sws-1912">51 pct of Pinoys agree Duterte must be held liable for EJK victims of drug war: SWS</a></div><p>Adiong said the survey results should &quot;serve as a wake-up call&quot; for Duterte&#x27;s supporters.</p><p>“It’s time to listen to the people. Huwag nating balewalain ang sigaw ng mga biktima at ng taumbayan. The message is clear: walang sinuman ang dapat na hindi nasasaklaw ng batas,” he said.</p><p>(Let&#x27;s not ignore the calls of the victims and of the people. The message is clear: Nobody is above the law)</p><p>The SWS survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group asked over 1,800 respondents nationwide.</p><p>Last week, the former President faced the ICC through video link for the first time.</p><p>He is currently at the ICC&#x27;s detention center at The Hague in the Netherlands.</p><p>Duterte faces a complaint on alleged crimes against humanity linked to thousands killed in the drug war.</p><p>The confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled for September 23,2025.</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/STHd4gzw3zY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The latest SWS survey showed majority or 51 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte must be held liable for the drug suspects killed during anti-illegal drug operations.</p>

The latest SWS survey showed majority or 51 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte must be held liable for the drug suspects killed during anti-illegal drug operations.

Beyond legal issues, Filipinos want accountability from Duterte: House leaders

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Beyond legal issues, Filipinos want accountability from Duterte: House leaders

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 20, 2025 03:38 PM PHT

Read More:

ICC

International Criminal Court

Rodrigo Duterte

law

international law

politics

House

SWS

war on drugs

drug war

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

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.