DUTERTE PANAGUTIN: On the first year of Duterte's arrest
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
11 March 2026
On the first year of Duterte's arrest
Malayo pa, pero malayo na ang narating natin sa pagpapanagot.
Today marks the first year since the arrest and detention at the International Criminal Court of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for crimes against humanity. This remains a historic moment for justice and accountability and we give credit to the relentless efforts of the victims’ families, lawyers and advocates, who turned their grief into courage, amid the climate of impunity and persisted in the struggle for justice.
We powered through despite the gauntlet of intimidation and harassment experienced by the kin of the victims and the calculated delaying tactics from the Duterte camp. Our solidarity created a powerful movement across Filipino communities here and abroad.
The arrest of Duterte reminds us that fascism has no place in a democratic society and accountability must reach the highest levels of government.
Today, we choose a future where every Filipino life is treated as sacred and where justice is no longer a privilege of the powerful but a right reclaimed by the people. As the proceedings continue in The Hague, we call on the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to confirm the charges against Duterte. We continue to stand with the victims until Duterte is convicted and all his co-perpetrators are likewise arrested, tried, and convicted.
The arc of the moral universe may be long, but it bends towards justice. We are on the side of truth, and we are certain that in the end, victory is ours.###
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.