PALACE: DON’T FORGET VICTIMS OF DUTERTE DRUG WAR

FILIPINOS should not forget those who died in the bloody war against drugs by former president Rodrigo R. Duterte during his administration instead of glorifying the accused.

“Siguro po pag-usapan din po natin ‘yung mga’y diumano’y biktima. Hindi dapat puro sa kanila (accused) nakatuon ang atensiyon ng tao,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press officer Claire Castro said.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Castro said, “Hindi napapansin sa ngayon ano ang naranasan ng mga biktima? Ano ang naranasan ng mga pamilyang naiwan ng kanilang mga kamag-anak na diumano’y biktima ng EJK (extrajudicial killing).”

Castro said the public appears to have forgotten those killed during the war on drugs because the current discussion focuses on suspects accused of carrying out the drug war.

“Bakit parang nago-glorify pa natin sa ngayon ‘yung naaakusahan ng murder at crimes against humanity?” Castro said.

“Sana po ang taong-bayan, buksan naman nila ang isip. Tingnan po nila: Ano ang naramdaman ng mga tao, ng pamilya na naging biktima ng EJK?”

The Palace official also dismissed notions that the former president’s arrest based on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant was a demolition job. She pointed out that the case against Duterte was filed years ago.

Duterte was taken into custody by Philippine authorities in compliance with the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). He was subsequently handed over to the custody of the ICC on March 12.

The former president, who faces charges of crimes against humanity, made his initial appearance before the ICC on March 14, 2025 (Friday night in Manila).