HOTSPOT
“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”
A friend shared this fitting quotation from a revolutionary philosopher on Tuesday morning as we began to witness a series of unbelievable events unfolding before our eyes.
On March 11, 2025, authorities apprehended former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
Many expected that Duterte would be taken to Camp Crame for booking and detention; however, that did not happen. Instead, he was taken to nearby Villamor Air Base, where he was formally arrested under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.
What had long been deemed impossible became a reality on that sunny day.
But the day was not over yet.
That same afternoon, a chartered Gulfstream jet appeared on the tarmac. Before midnight, Duterte was flown out of the country to Dubai and then to The Hague. The flight, code-named RPC2519, became the most watched on FlightRadar.
I think everyone will remember where they were and what they were doing on that historic, action-packed, and consequential day. Victims' families quickly assembled, masses were offered, cakes were ordered, and rallies were held demanding Duterte's detention.
Upon his arrival in The Hague on March 12, the ICC formally took Duterte into custody.
On March 13, the ICC announced that he had been placed in its detention center after undergoing a medical examination.
If everything proceeds smoothly, Duterte is scheduled to appear before the ICC pre-trial chamber on March 14.
This rapid series of developments has sent shockwaves throughout the country and around the globe.
This marks a significant step towards justice for Fr. Gilbert Billena of the network Rise Up for Life and for Rights, as well as for Irma Locasia, Dennise David, Maria Lozano, Mariel Sabangan, Normita Lopez and Purisima Dacumos. These individuals filed a 50-page communication and complaint against Duterte with the ICC in August 2018.
Irma lost her son Salvador Jr. on Aug. 31, 2016; Dennise lost his son John Jezreel on Jan. 20, 2017; Maria lost her siblings Crisanto and Juan Carlos on May 12, 2017; Mariel lost her brother Bernabe on May 15, 2017; Normita lost her son Djastin on May 18, 2017; and Purisima lost her husband Danilo on Aug. 3, 2017 — all during police operations related to Duterte’s war on drugs.
The Rise Up complaint, assisted by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers and led by Neri Colmenares, was the first filed at the ICC by victims' relatives. They followed the earlier Sabio and Magdalo complaints.
We leave it to lawyers and legal experts to discuss the legal implications and to political analysts to consider the ramifications of Duterte’s arrest. While these discussions are important, the primary focus should remain on delivering justice for the murder victims. Finally, tens of thousands of families have the opportunity to hold the former president accountable for his words, actions, and inaction — something that seemed impossible before but is now within reach.
Those who claim to be tough on crime should also be tough on extrajudicial killings (EJK). EJKs are murders, and ignoring the cases brought forth by the victims' families would only protect those who ordered or committed these thousands of murders.
Since the arrest, Duterte’s defenders argue that the drug war was a success in making the country safer. If that's the case, they should feel confident allowing Duterte to explain to the court what he instructed police officers to do, the drug matrices, the success metrics, the perceived threats, the quotas, and the rewards he authorized. He should share with the ICC the formula for “success” used in his drug war.
Having the charges heard in The Hague would be beneficial for the victims’ families, witnesses, lawyers, and even for Duterte and his co-respondents. They would all receive due process and be better protected from threats, pressure, intimidation, violence, delays, and other challenges.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deserves credit for facilitating Duterte’s arrest. Simply put, without his approval, the arrest would not have been possible. While his motivations may focus on fulfilling international obligations, his decision has turned what was once an impossible dream into reality.
We must critique the government when it is in the wrong but should also acknowledge when it does something right. In this case, as with the presidential order to ban POGOs, credit is warranted.
As another philosopher advises, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”