Bishops say Duterte’s arrest pivotal in quest for justice

 

MANILA, Philippines – A  of bishops from various Christian denominations in the country said that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte as a significant step toward justice and accountability. “This moment is seen as a pivotal point in the quest for justice and accountability for the many impoverished victims and their families who have tirelessly sought truth and restitution,” the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) said in a statement on Thursday. “The arrest of a strongman like Rodrigo Duterte serves as a reminder that failing to punish wrongdoing encourages more evil,” the group said.

The EBF further cited a biblical passage,  Ecclesiastes 8:11: “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.”

READ: Duterte’s arrest upholds God’s gift of human dignity – religious group  It also expressed solidarity with the victims and their families who suffered from the violence of the anti-drug campaign.

“The EBF profoundly conveys its solidarity with the Filipino people, especially those who have suffered immense pain and violence at the hands of the forces of darkness,” the group said.

The coalition further urged authorities to uphold justice, quoting Proverbs 17:15: “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—both are detestable to the Lord.”

As Duterte’s case progresses, the EBF vowed to support the victims’ quest for justice and peace, hoping this marks a step toward accountability.

The EBF is composed of bishops from the Roman Catholic Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church in the Philippines, and Iglesia Filipina Independiente.

READ: Duterte’s ICC arrest: Separating fact from lies 

Duterte is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration’s war on drugs.

Government records show that around 6,000 people died during the anti-drug campaign. However, human rights groups estimate the actual death toll to exceed 20,000.

Duterte, currently in ICC custody, made his first appearance before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on Friday, March 14 (Manila time).

During the hearing, the judges confirmed his identity, read the charges against him, and informed him of his rights.