A group of Protestant and non-Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines welcomed the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it "a step toward justice."

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines said in a statement that it had prayed for Duterte's arrest, emphasizing that poor Filipinos killed during his administration's anti-drug campaign now have a chance at justice.

It also cited that while Duterte attempted to evade accountability for extrajudicial killings by withdrawing the Philippines from the International Criminal Court, the country's membership in the Rome Statute ensured he would still face prosecution.

"It is our prayer as a Council that the developments that follow shall be guided by the principle of due process -- a foundational principle of justice that thousands of poor Filipinos were deprived of during the violent and sham 'drug war,'" the NCCP said.

"We hope this serves as an inspiration for all, and that truth and justice will prevail in the end, reinforcing the lesson that authoritarian regimes and their supporters shall not endure forever," the council added.

The group also urged Filipinos to remain vigilant and "stand on the right side of history" as Duterte's case unfolds at the ICC.

Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for murder as the ICC accused him of responsibility for 43 killings -- 19 under his so-called Davao Death Squad when he was mayor of Davao City and 24 during his presidency.  

His next hearing is set for 23 September 2025, when the ICC will conduct a confirmation of charges hearing, where Duterte can challenge the accusations against him.  

Duterte was arrested last 11 March upon his arrival in the Philippines from a campaign trip in Hong Kong. He was handed over to the International Criminal Police Organization, or INTERPOL, and the Philippine National Police before being flown to The Hague, Netherlands, the same day.