Duterte arrest sparks outcry from Davao supporters, praise from rights advocates

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

While former president Duterte's supporters ask the public to pray for him, there are Mindanaoans who call his arrest a 'critical step toward justice and accountability' in his bloody drug war

MANILA, Philippines – Supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte gathered at the Rizal Park in Davao City on Tuesday, March 11, to protest his arrest for the killings of thousands during the bloody war on drugs carried out during his administration.

Local government officials and employees led a candle-lighting ceremony and offered prayers at the park near city hall in solidarity with their former mayor.

Davao City’s mayor, Duterte’s youngest son Baste, was not around but he took to social media to sharply criticize President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his father’s arrest.

CANDLES FOR DUTERTE. Supporters of Rodrigo Duterte gather at the Rizal Park in Davao City, to light candles and protest the arrest of the former president, on March 11, 2025. Manman Dejeto/Rappler

“This is not the Philippine National Police serving a warrant since they cannot even justify their actions. This is a political maneuver of the Bongbong Marcos administration. Be prepared no matter what,” Sebastian wrote on his Facebook page.

Chief Presidential Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, however, said in a post also on Facebook that Duterte’s legal problem is not cause by Philippine laws “but of laws enforceable by the International Criminal Court (ICC).”

As such, Enrile said: “It is not correct to to blame the Philippine government for the current legal problem of ex-PRRD. His lawyers should endeavor to secure a copy of the ICC charges against him so that they will know why he was ordered to be arrested by the ICC. Philippine domestic laws have nothing to do with his current legal problem.”

Duterte was arrested on Tuesday morning upon their group’s arrival from Hong Kong at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. The ICC issued the warrant for Duterte’s arrest over charges of crimes against humanity, specifically on the thousands of extrajudicial killings that took place in Davao and during his presidency.

“We have to pray for him,” Davao Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado III urged Dabawenyos over Davao-based broadcaster DXDC of the Radio Mindanao Network.

Zozobrado also said he was worried about Duterte’s health, noting that the former president is nearly 80 years old.

SUPPORTERS. Davao City Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain Jr., speaks to supporters of Rodrigo Duterte gathered at the Rizal Park in Davao City, protesting the arrest of the former president, on March 11, 2025. Manman Dejeto/Rappler

“We have to remain calm. We have courts of justice working,” Davao City Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain Jr. told reporters shortly after Duterte’s arrest.

“Tatay Digong, ayaw kabalaka, andam mi mag-offer sa among kinabuhi para sa imoha (Papa Digong, don’t worry, we are ready to offer our lives for you),” DXDC quoted Davao Councilor Jonard Dayap as saying.

Another councilor, Al Ryan Alejandre, said, “We are deeply hurt by what they did, we are with you, let’s keep fighting President Duterte.”

‘A step toward justice’

Not all Mindanaoans share the same sentiments though. The Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao, for instance, welcomed the arrest of Duterte, calling it “a critical step toward justice and accountability for the thousands of victims, their families, and the human rights defenders who have long fought against state-sponsored killings.”

Lawyer Antonio Azarcon, UPLM chairperson, said: “For years, grieving families and human rights advocates, and concerned citizens have demanded justice for the extrajudicial killings and atrocities perpetrated by Duterte. The ICC’s action validates these demands and reaffirms this: No one – no matter how powerful — is above the law. No political power or position should shield individuals from accountability for mass atrocities.”

Azarcon added: “Duterte must now face due process – the very principle he and his enforcers denied to thousands of victims. The ICC’s proceedings must be fair, impartial, and free from external political interference.”

The UPLM also called on the ICC to expand its investigation and hold those who enabled Duterte’s bloody war on drugs accountable. The group said the enablers include police commanders, government officials, and policymakers who allegedly orchestrated, executed, and concealed these crimes.

“Justice will not be complete until all perpetrators of these heinous crimes face accountability,” the Mindanao lawyers’ group said.

The UPLM also cautioned the Marcos administration against using Duterte’s case as a political bargaining chip or a distraction from its own governance failures. 

“Justice must not be manipulated for political gain. The victims and their families deserve nothing less than full, impartial accountability,” read part of the UPLM statement. – Rappler.com