Pro-conviction demonstrators displayed photos of victims from Duterte’s violent war on drugs. (Photo by Jon Bustamante/Kodao)
Contrary to the narrative of widespread support for detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, various Filipino organizations in Europe gathered at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to advocate for his conviction as a mass murderer.
Representatives from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Europe, Migrante Europe, Gabriela, and Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle staged a rally outside the ICC on Wednesday afternoon, coinciding with Duterte’s transfer to The Netherlands.
A similar demonstration took place during his initial appearance before the chamber last Friday.
Migrante Belgium issued a statement welcoming Duterte’s arrest and surrender to the ICC, describing it as proof that tyranny and fascism can be overcome.
The group called for the conviction of Duterte and his co-conspirators for the crime of mass murder.
“Duterte’s long reign of terror—22 years in Davao City and six years as President of the Philippines—resulted in tens of thousands of deaths of alleged petty criminals, drug addicts, dissidents, and human rights activists in his widespread, warlord-like, bloody ‘war on drugs’ campaign, which primarily targeted poor and marginalized communities,” the group stated.
The group also refuted claims by Duterte’s supporters that he was “kidnapped,” emphasizing that due process and even preferential treatment were afforded to the former president.
This, they noted, starkly contrasts with the plight of Duterte’s victims—between 12,000 to 30,000 mostly poor Filipinos—who were “cold-bloodedly denied due process.”
The protesters expressed solidarity with the families of the victims, commending their bravery and celebrating this significant step toward justice. (ROSE NOVENARIO)
