EBF praises Duterte arrest, sees it as step to justice

The Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) hailed the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte as a significant step toward justice and accountability.

They stated that the arrest of a strongman like Duterte serves as a reminder that failing to punish wrongdoing encourages more evil.

Duterte was apprehended on March 11 by the Philippine National Police and Interpol following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity linked to the drug war.

The ICC took action against Duterte because of claims of impunity, raising controversial issues between state authority and court jurisdiction.

Duterte's adherents claim his arrest was illegal because the Philippines withdrew its ICC membership in 2019.

However, the opposing viewpoint maintains that the alleged offenses are still within the ICC's jurisdiction as they were committed prior to the country's withdrawal from the ICC.

Official figures indicate at least 6,000 deaths during Duterte's "war on drugs," while the ICC estimates a higher range of 12,000 to 30,000 fatalities.

The EBF vowed to support the victims' quest for justice and peace, hoping this marks a step toward accountability.