Relatives of victims of extrajudicial killings turned emotional as they gathered for the inurnment of their 18 loved ones at the Dambana ng Paghilom (Shrine of Healing) in La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan City.
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The solemn ceremony served as both a moment of mourning and a renewed call for justice, following the International Criminal Court’s arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now awaiting trial in The Hague, Netherlands.
“Matatanggap na ng anak ko ang hustisya niya. Hindi lang sa anak ko, kundi sa iba niyang pinagpapatay na tao,†said Crispin Cena, whose son was killed in Duterte’s bloody drug war.
“Gusto ko mangyari rin sa kanya ang ginawa niya sa anak ko. Marami siyang pinapatay,†added Gloria de Jesus.
“Kulang pa rin ang buhay niya para sa amin, kasi sa dami namin. Katulad ng asawa ko, di naman adik. Di naman addict lahat iyan,†Maria Tion said.
While they admitted that the trial process will take a long time, they believe that Duterte’s arrest was a significant first step towards achieving justice for the deaths of their loved ones.
They also expressed hope that others responsible for the extrajudicial killings would be held accountable.
Following Duterte’s arrest, the ICC is now reportedly eyeing the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato†dela Rosa and former Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde.
Before becoming a lawmaker, Dela Rosa served as Duterte’s first PNP chief and was the chief implementer of Oplan Double Barrel and Oplan Tokhang as part of the former administration’s campaign promise to end illegal drugs in three to six months.
He also defended Duterte’s drug war numerous times after being elected senator, even remarking “shit happens†when asked about the death of a three-year-old girl in an anti-drug operation.
Expecting that he may be next in line for arrest, Dela Rosa said he will seek temporary protection from the Senate if the ICC issues a warrant against him.
“Hanggat kaya nga niya, hanggat kaya ng Senate president na kupkupin niya muna ko. Hindi niya muna ako i-surrender kung may warrant of arrest, kung may session kami. I hope respetuhin din siya ng executive branch of government kasi mayroon naman \’yan ang ganoon protocol,†Dela Rosa said.