DU30's arrest pivotal in purusit of justice — bishops

The Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) on Thursday stated that the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte is "a pivotal point in the quest for justice and accountability for the many impoverished victims and their families who have tirelessly sought truth and restitution."

"The EBF profoundly conveys its solidarity with the Filipino people, especially those who have suffered pain and violence at the hands of the forces of darkness," the EBF said in a statement.

"We have recognized the steadfast and committed work of our partner organizations in championing justice for the victims and families," it added.

Duterte was arrested on 11 March by the Philippine National Police and Interpol under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant charging him with crimes against humanity related to the drug war.

During Duterte's presidency, the Philippine government revealed that at least 6,000 individuals were killed by the authorities as a result of his so-called "war on drugs."

However, the ICC determined that there were between 12,000 and 30,000 deaths, including victims of vigilante-style killings.

Meanwhile, a report from the Commission on Human Rights said that the deaths were caused by "excessive and disproportionate force" against drug suspects, "who are mostly civilians killed in uninhabited locations with gunshot wounds."

The EBF also explained that the ICC took action against the former Philippine leader "because of claims of impunity," countering claims from the Duterte camp that his arrest and confinement were unlawful or illegal.

Previously, his children, Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, and Veronica "Kitty" Duterte sought a writ of habeas corpus to secure the release of the elder Duterte.

The former president is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands.

"Duterte's adherents claim his arrest was illegal because the Philippines withdrew its ICC membership in 2019. The opposing viewpoint maintains nonetheless that the alleged offenses are still within the ICC's jurisdiction, as they were committed by Duterte before the country's withdrawal from the ICC," the EBF further explained.

The EBF is a fellowship of bishops from various Christian denominations in the Philippines, including the Roman Catholic Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), United Methodist Church (UMC), Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP), and Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI).

The statement was signed by UCCP Bishop Joseph Agpaoa, ECP Prime Bishop The Rt. Rev. Nestor G. Poltic Sr., UMC Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco (Ret.), UMC Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella, and IFI The Ret. Revd. Emelyn G. Dacuycuy.