April 1, 2025 - Following the arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Filipino advocacy groups across Canada immediately hailed the move as a triumph of justice for the drug war’s victims and their families.
With the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Duterte was arrested without incident in Manila on March 11 and was flown via chartered plane to The Hague in the Netherlands where the ICC is located. On March 14 at a pre-trial hearing, he was formally charged for crimes against humanity, torture and rape during what was called the “war on drugs” both while he served as mayor of Davao City for multiple terms and as Philippine president from 2016 to 2022.
Milo Canlas, interim secretary general of Bayan Canada said in a statement: “As Filipinos celebrate the victory we have achieved through our collective efforts, we encourage our kababayans to continue speaking up and pursuing justice! The truth is on our side, and we must remain determined in our struggle against impunity and the oppression of our people.”
Canlas confirmed with Canadian Filipino Net (CFNet) that Bayan Canada is coordinating with other Bayan chapters around the world: Bayan Hong Kong and Macau, Bayan Australia, Bayan USA, Bayan Middle East, and Bayan Europe in calls for action and advocating for the “immediate conviction and prosecution of other state officials complicit in the crimes against humanity,” including Senator Bato dela Rosa, former chiefs of the PNP Oscar Albayalde and Debold Sinas who both served under Duterte.
To date, Bayan Canada hosted global days of action for drug war’s victims and their families on March 14 and on March 28 when a virtual press conference with members of the victims’ families was held simultaneously in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto followed by a teach-in and discussion by various grassroots organizations.
Canlas also shared with CFNet that “Duterte’s arrest was ultimately achieved by the Filipino people” and cannot solely be attributed to the current administration. “It is critical we use this time when the corruption of Philippine government officials is under global scrutiny to push for others, such as Marcos Jr., who benefit from impunity to also be held accountable,” he added.
Regarding the May 2025 midterm election, Bayan Canada believes that the “Filipino people must not wait until the 2028 (nation) election draws near to start laying the groundwork for pro-people alternatives.” Bayan Philippines currently endorses candidates from the Makabayan slate of 11 senatorial candidates and 10 Bayan Muna partylist nominees for the House of Representatives.
Migrante Canada also released a statement condemning not just Duterte’s war on drugs but also his “accomplices in perpetuating crimes against humanity and for violating thousands of Filipino people’s human rights and dignity.” The group particularly called out former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for attempting to seek asylum in the Netherlands when he is “complicit in the perpetuation of Duterte’s war on drugs.”
The ecumenical movement for justice and human rights group KAIROS likewise issued a statement welcoming Duterte’s arrest by the ICC, adding that KAIROS “stands in solidarity with the people of the Philippines, particularly those who have suffered unspeakable loss and violence.” It acknowledges that the “historic moment is due to the courage and tireless work of families and human rights organizations for justice for the victims.”
In its statement, KAIROS joins the National Council of Churches in the Philippines in commending Rise Up for Rights and Life (Rise Up) “for their tireless and selfless commitment in accompanying and working with the mothers and family members of victims of tokhang, who have cried for justice many times over.”
The Filipino Canadian Community and Cultural Society (Filipino BC) not only called the arrest a “pivotal moment in the global pursuit of justice” but also “reinforces a vital principle: no leader, no matter their power or position, is above the law.”
Filipino BC project director Kristina Corpin-Moser added, “For years, Duterte’s so-called war on drugs wasn’t a campaign against crime - it was a war on the poor.” Filipino BC calls on the Canadian government and the international community to continue pushing for human rights, justice, and democracy in the Philippines.
About the Author
Rachel Ramos-Reid started writing for magazines and newspapers when she was still a junior at the University of the Philippines’ Communication degree program majoring in Journalism. She continued to write in a public relations/corporate communications capacity in various private and government offices until moving out of the country in 1997 to work as Programme Officer for the arts and culture branch of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO-SPAFA) in Bangkok, Thailand. At the end of her term, Rachel found herself immigrating to Canada in the year 2000 and again searching for new beginnings.
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