RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE (pt. 2)
On June 30, 2016, at the age of 71, the oldest in the history of our country, Rodrigo Roa Duterte took his oath as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes administered the same and his children, Kitty, Baste, Paolo, and Sara stood as witnesses. It was the inauguration of Duterte’s colorful and controversial tenure and the commencement of the events that were about to unfold.
To be fair, FPRRD made various note-worthy achievements and accomplishments during his term. From his Build-Build-Build Program under the Department of Public Works and Highways where we saw the construction of multiple schools, roads, bridges and other buildings and infrastructures, to his proposed Tax Reform and Universal Health Care, the increase in the salary of uniformed personnel and many others.
However, what truly defines Duterte’s rule, and perhaps, synonymous to his administration, is his infamous and controversial campaign against illegal drugs commonly referred to as the “War on Drugs.”
During his campaign, it is Duterte’s battle cry that if given the opportunity to be the president of the Republic, he would end criminality and drug proliferation in the country in just three to six months upon assumption to office. True to his words, his first six months in office was, as many described it, “nothing less but a war, a bloody war.” It is like watching or witnessing the Narcos Netflix series in real time.
Killings and murders of suspected drug pushers and peddlers occurred all around the country. Images of lifeless bloody bodies of both men and women with placards “Adik ako,” “Pusher Ako,” and “Wag tularan” became daily news. The words “Nanlaban” and “Natokhang” – pertaining to the people who were the subject of the war on drugs – have been added to our vocabulary. There were also governors, mayors, prosecutors, judges, lawyers, and journalists who were targeted by reason of their purported connection to any illegal drug operation.
Records vary as to how many casualties or deaths resulted from the said war on drugs. Some claimed that the number ranges from 3,000 to 7,000, many contended that the death toll was from 25,000 to 30,000 and there are those who declared that it was a whopping 40,000 deaths – most of which were unrecorded and unreported. We may not be able to ascertain the exact number of casualties, and it is up for the courts to decide FPRRD’s guilt and involvement in those, but two things are for sure, thousands of deaths happened, and the same took place during his term, particularly within that six-month period.
On March 11, 2025, former President Duterte, upon his arrival at NAIA from his Hongkong trip, was apprehended by members of Interpol in coordination with the Philippine National Police. FPRRD was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court in relation to the extrajudicial killings that purportedly happened during his time as President from 2016 to 2022 as well as his time as Davao Mayor from 2013 to 2016. In the evening of the same day, he was transported to Hague, Netherlands via a chartered plane.
The charges against President Duterte is for Violation of Article 7, paragraph 1 of the Rome Statute to wit: Article 7. Crimes against Humanity (1) For the purpose of this Statute, “crime against humanity” means any of the following acts when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack: (a) Murder; (b) Extermination; (f) Torture; and (i) Enforced disappearance of persons.
During Duterte’s initial appearance hearing that was held on March 14, 2025, we learned that the charges against the former president hinge on his supposed participation and involvement to the murder or killing of 43 individuals pursuant to his anti-drug campaign – 19 during his time as Mayor of Davao and 24 during his incumbency as the President of the Republic.
Duterte’s counsel, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, contended that the arrest of the former president amount to an extrajudicial rendition or kidnapping in layman’s terms. Medialdea further emphasized Duterte’s advanced age and debilitating health. However, Judge Iulia Motoc, ICC Presiding Judge, asserted that Duterte is mentally healthy and fit and that necessary measures have been taken upon his arrival. Thereafter, it was announced that Duterte’s next hearing – confirmation of charges hearing – is set on September 23, 2025. Clearly, ICCs hearing and resolution of Duterte’s case are still a long way to go.