MANILA, Philippines — Opposing forces gather outside the Senate on Monday — one actively supports former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, while the other amplifies their call for justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings (EJK).
The standoff transpired an hour ahead of the Senate probe into the previous administration’s war on illegal drugs.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte himself was invited to the hearing.
At the forefront of those calling for justice are members of Akbayan Partylist, alongside civil society groups and families of EJK victims.
They held a solemn prayer gathering, calling for justice for all of the lives lost during the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war.
Pro-Duterte groups hold a demonstration outside the Senate.
While the prayer gathering is ongoing, pro-Duterte groups are holding their own demonstration.
They shouted, “Duterte! Duterte!” and “Hindi kami bayad!” alternately.
Pro-Duterte groups are holding their own banners bearing the ex-President’s face and name.
Printed on the banners were statements of support for the former chief executive.
Duterte’s brutal drug campaign made him a central figure in the International Criminal Court’s investigation into crimes against humanity complaints filed by families of drug war victims.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency listed 6,252 dead in anti-drug police operations from July 1, 2016, to May 31, 2022.
However, a 2017 year-end report attributed to the Office of the President listed more than 20,000 dead in the first 17 months of the Duterte administration.