CHR: All those involved in Duterte’s drug war must be held responsible

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'Accountability does not rest on one individual alone; all those who participated and were complicit in the violations must be held to account,' the Commission on Human Rights says following Rodrigo Duterte's arrest over a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court

MANILA, Philippines – With Rodrigo Duterte arrested, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said that responsibility extends beyond a single person, insisting that everyone involved in the bloody drug war must answer for their actions.

“Accountability does not rest on one individual alone; all those who participated and were complicit in the violations must be held to account,” the commission said in a statement on Tuesday, March 11.

Philippine authorities served the warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to Duterte upon his arrival from Hong Kong. The Presidential Communications Office said that the government had received from the Interpol an official copy of the arrest warrant just hours before.

The former president, who ordered killings from the presidential pulpit from 2016 to 2022, is the only one named in the ICC warrant. It does not include Senator Ronald dela Rosa, Duterte’s longtime ally and the drug war architect. Dela Rosa was Duterte’s police chief during his days in Davao City, as well as the early years of his presidency. His exclusion, however, does not automatically mean that he will not be subjected to one in the future.

The CHR affirmed its openness to cooperate with the ICC in its proceedings into the drug war killings. Government data shows that at least 6,252 were killed in police operations alone by May 2022. The number reached between 27,000 to 30,000, including those killed vigilante-style, according to estimates by human rights groups.

“This steadfast commitment reflects CHR’s role as the country’s independent national human rights institution and its duty to help ensure that allegations of human rights violations are thoroughly examined and that justice is pursued through appropriate legal processes,” the CHR said.

Under Duterte, the national human rights institution was not given a chance to participate in any efforts to investigate the drug war killings, on top of being demonized by the then-president and his allies. It also revealed that the commission’s own investigations were “hampered by the predilection and uncooperativeness” of government agencies.

The CHR also said it was critical to support those left behind by victims of Duterte’s violent campaign so they could continue the fight for justice. Duterte’s arrest is just the beginning of what could be a long process at the ICC. The latest development, in fact, came nine years after the international tribunal took notice of the bloodshed under Duterte.

“Creating a safe and secure environment is a crucial step towards breaking the culture of fear and silence, ultimately empowering more families and witnesses to pursue justice,” CHR said.

It added, “It is crucial to continue to ensure their protection and provide an environment where they can freely testify without fear.”

Families of drug war victims welcomed the arrest as a significant breakthrough after years of anguish over the absence of justice. The latest development is a hard-won step forward after enduring not only the pain of losing their loved ones but also the constant fear and harassment from state agents determined to silence their calls for accountability.

– Rappler.com