Key points:
- The arrest of the former Philippines president is but one step in a journey to get justice for victims of government-sanctioned killings, justice advocates say.
- As many as 30,000 people are believed to have been killed in Duterte’s “war on drugs.”
- The church must continue to advocate for justice and peace, United Methodist bishops say.
United Methodist leaders and legal advocates are voicing a mixture of relief and resolve for justice following the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
The arrest follows years of investigation into the thousands of extrajudicial killings committed under Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs.” Duterte, who was arrested March 11, served as president from 2016 to 2022.
Attorney Ephraim B. Cortez leads The National Union of People’s Lawyers, which played a key role in assisting victims in filing cases at the International Criminal Court.
“We see the issuance and the implementation of the warrant of arrest as the beginning of their long and arduous journey to seek accountability,” said Cortez, a United Methodist layperson. “At long last, the process that they have been longing for is about to begin as a result of the arrest.”
The Philippine government has attributed 6,248 deaths to the drug war, but the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor has said the death toll could be as high as 30,000, according to Reuters.
For many families of victims, the news of Duterte’s arrest was overwhelming. Rebecca K. Lawson, media liaison of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a coalition of victims’ families and advocates, described the wave of emotions.
“Almost every one of the families Rise Up serves who lost loved ones to Duterte’s so-called ‘war on drugs’ recounted how they cried when they heard the news,” Lawson said. “It triggered complex feelings — grief, sadness and elation that justice was coming one step closer.”
Lawson acknowledged the significance of the arrest but cautioned that the fight was far from over.
“It was surprising, yet it was a methodical walk by the ICC towards justice. This arrest is just another step along the way. It opens up space for accountability and declares to the world that the lives of the poor must be respected,” she said. However, she said, securing a conviction would take years.
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Lawson also noted the ongoing struggles families face seeking justice, including a climate of fear and economic hardship.
“One of the hardest tasks is finding families and gaining their trust in the possibility of attaining justice,” said deaconess Rubilyn G. Litao, who co-founded Rise Up with fellow deaconess Norma P. Dollaga. “The drug war was an attack on the poor, and families left behind are still struggling to survive. The road to justice is long and difficult, but we will not give up.”
Dollaga, a longtime human rights advocate and World Methodist Peace Award recipient, reflected on the resilience of the victims’ families.
“The long wait for justice is arduous, yet we entrust everything in faith and hope,” she said. “We honor the courage of the families who defied silence and threats, and we recognize the solidarity of lawyers, activists, people’s movements, the international community and the church.”
Dollaga pointed out that Duterte’s arrest is a powerful moment not just for the victims’ families, but for Philippine society as a whole.
“The man who once seemed unbeatable and unstoppable is now facing due process — the very thing denied to thousands of poor Filipinos killed under his tyrannical and inhumane acts.”
Bishop Rodel M. Acdal, who leads The United Methodist Church’s Baguio Area, emphasized the church’s role in justice work.
“The involvement of United Methodists in seeking justice and accountability is a complex and multifaceted issue. But our commitment to social justice requires us to speak truth to power and defend the marginalized.”
While acknowledging that United Methodists have differing opinions on the case, Acdal reaffirmed the church’s prophetic mission. “Their efforts reflect the prophetic voice of our church, challenging injustice wherever it arises and demonstrating the transformative power of faith that drives people to seek justice, even in the face of great risk and resistance,” he said.
Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella of the Manila Area noted that Duterte’s arrest has deepened divisions within the church. “It’s like the issue of human sexuality — it has become an emotional and highly divisive issue,” she observed. “Many United Methodists are genuinely sympathetic to the former president.”
Retired Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan, meanwhile, celebrated the courage of those who stood up for justice.
“I praise God for the courage of fellow United Methodist leaders. This is a manifestation of our resolve to rise and stand up for truth, justice and righteousness,” he said. “As proud United Methodists, we need to ‘Padayon!’”— a Visayan term meaning “to move forward.”
While many see Duterte’s arrest as a step toward accountability, significant hurdles remain.
“Legal battles are not easy,” said Rise Up’s Lawson. “The process is intricate, and Duterte’s allies will continue to try and discredit the case.” She also highlighted the challenge of gathering solid evidence, as many police reports are incomplete or biased. “The police were the perpetrators in many cases, and their reports often justify the killings instead of investigating them.”
Another major concern is the ongoing fear that prevents many victims’ families from speaking out. “We are blessed that within Rise Up, we have seen mothers transform their fear into courage,” Litao added. “But many others are still afraid, and our work is to support them and help them find their voice.”
Looking ahead, advocates are calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support the International Criminal Court’s investigation and open an independent probe into Duterte’s drug war. “We still have to stay awake and alert,” Lawson said. “We must pursue the task of making Duterte accountable and ensuring justice is served.”
Despite the challenges, many remain hopeful. “Loving one’s neighbor is not a neutral call — it is a political and spiritual decision,” Dollaga said. “For the victims’ families, justice means holding Duterte accountable, ensuring that their suffering is not repeated, and working toward a society where the poor are no longer treated as disposable.”
The Rev. Glofie G. Baluntong, executive director of the Philippines Central Conference Board of Church and Society, emphasized that arresting Duterte is just a step in a much larger movement to reform the nation’s justice system.
“This is a victory, especially for the victims of human rights violations and extrajudicial killings. However, there is still much to be changed in our social system,” she said.
In a statement signed by Baluntong together with Pastor Thaad Kolin A. Samson and Bishop Israel M. Painit of the Davao Area, the central conference’s board of church and society supported Duterte’s arrest and trial. The board called it a crucial step toward accountability and justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s war on drugs.
Citing Proverbs 21:15, the board emphasized that justice brings joy to the righteous but fear to wrongdoers. It condemned ongoing human rights violations, including illegal surveillance, abductions, harassment and fabricated charges under both Duterte and Marcos.
The board reaffirmed its stance on protecting human rights, advocating for rehabilitative solutions to drug addiction, and strengthening the justice system to end impunity. It also called for the repeal of oppressive laws. The board urged the public to stand for justice and pray for truth to prevail.
As the case progresses, United Methodist leaders are urging continued prayer, vigilance and solidarity. “To our entire United Methodist community,” Acdal said, “let us stand in unwavering support of those who courageously advocate for justice. May we all reflect on our role in fostering peace and accountability.”
Painit conveyed his message to the entire United Methodist connection. “This is a pivotal moment to stand firm in our faith and unwavering commitment to justice. Our calling as a church extends beyond the walls of our sanctuaries — our heritage of social holiness challenges us to be present where suffering persists and to walk in solidarity with the oppressed.
“As we engage with the pressing issues of our time, let us do so with humility, grace and an unshakable trust in God’s justice,” Painit said. “This is not merely about advocacy; it is about embodying the Gospel in our words and actions. May we continue to be a church that speaks truth to power, reflects Christ’s radical love, and serves as instruments of hope and righteousness in a world longing for justice.”
The Rev. Jonathan R. Ulanday, a member of The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council, highlighted the critical role of Dollaga and Litao in the fight for accountability.
“The commitment and persistence of the two deaconesses for social justice were crucial in the struggle that led to the arrest of Duterte,” Ulanday said. “Their solidarity with victims emboldened families to execute affidavits and testimonies, vital in filing charges against the former president.”
As debates around Duterte’s arrest intensify, Ulanday urged prayer, vigilance and adherence to the rule of law.
“Let us not contribute to the polarization of the issue with undue sentiments. The church must stand by its Social Principles — that every government is accountable to God’s judgment and must protect the innocent and uphold basic freedoms.”
Mangiduyos is a UM News correspondent and communicator in the Philippines.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digests.
