Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) (File photo from Wikimedia Commons)
MANILA, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest marks a crucial step toward accountability, and it sets an important precedent for addressing past and future human rights violations in the Philippines.
This is the statement made by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Wednesday.
The bishops expressed their belief that Duterte’s arrest is long overdue.
They also said it was a move toward justice for the thousands killed in his administration’s war on illegal drugs.
“For years, former President Duterte has claimed that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions. Now is the time for him to prove it,” Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said.
“True justice is about accountability, transparency, and the protection of human dignity,” he noted.
Meanwhile, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza stressed that justice must be served for the victims and their families.
“These killings were not random; they were part of a policy that violated the fundamental right to life,” Alminaza said.
“The families of the victims deserve truth, reparations, and justice. As a nation, we must ensure that such crimes never happen again,” the San Carlos bishop added.
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While Duterte’s arrest “does not mean he is guilty,” Taytay Bishop Broderick Pabillo said it is an opportunity to determine whether or not the former president should be held accountable for the abuses under his administration that were reportedly committed.
“This is where we will see whether his actions were right or wrong and whether he should be held responsible if they were wrong,” Pabillo explained.
“That is what democracy should be—no one is above the law, and everyone must answer for their actions,” he stressed.
READ: Duterte’s arrest proves justice is within reach – ICHRP
The CBCP underscored that Duterte’s case is not just about one man but that it is about upholding justice and ensuring that similar human rights violations do not happen again.
READ: Palace confirms arrest warrant from ICC for Rodrigo Duterte
On Tuesday, Duterte was arrested upon arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s war on drugs during his term as president of the Philippines.