Bishop sees ICC arrest of Duterte as hope for drug war victims

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, Negros Occidental, sees the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a glimmer of hope for victims of his drug war.

He stated that this development injects renewed vigor into the pursuit of peace and justice after a period of alleged state-sponsored killings.

The ICC arrest warrant against Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity provides solace to the thousands of families who lost loved ones during the former president's controversial anti-drug campaign.

Alminaza described the arrest as an initial stride towards accountability and expressed hope that other individuals involved in the drug war will also face justice.

He personally presided over funeral masses for activists Zara Alvarez and Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, and her husband, who were murdered for their work.

Despite this progress, the bishop lamented that some Filipinos continue to support Duterte's violent anti-drug policies.