The Hague, Netherlands – A new alliance made up of people who are against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been formed in Europe. Their goal is to make sure that the people responsible for the alleged human rights abuses during Duterte’s war on drugs are brought to justice.
This group is called the Duterte Panagutin Europe Network. The word Panagutin means “hold accountable” in Filipino. The members of this network include Filipinos and different organizations based in Europe who believe that justice should be served for the thousands of people who were allegedly killed in Duterte’s drug war.
To show their commitment, the group gathered in The Hague, Netherlands, where the International Criminal Court (ICC) is located. They lit candles to honor the victims—many of whom were poor people accused of being drug users or dealers.
Why This Day is Special
The event was held on Duterte’s 80th birthday. However, instead of celebrating, the group used the occasion to highlight how many victims of the drug war never even had the chance to reach this age.
Mira Cruz-van Dijk, who lost two family members to the drug war, shared her thoughts:
“This day is symbolic because Duterte has lived up to 80 years old, but the victims of his war on drugs did not get that chance. His family and supporters celebrate his life, but he did not value the lives of the people who were killed under his rule.”
She added that the Duterte administration seemed to care little about the lives of the poor and that only those in power had the privilege of growing old.
The Fight for Justice Continues
Patricia Enriquez, one of the leaders of the alliance, explained the meaning behind the candles they lit. She said they represent hope and the ongoing demand for accountability. Another member, Lean Jimenez from Bayan Europe, called on Filipinos and supporters in Europe to join the fight for justice.
“The truth cannot be silenced, and justice should not be delayed,” Jimenez said firmly.
Joey Sison, who leads the Duterte Panagutin Network Germany, emphasized that Duterte’s arrest is just the beginning.
“Justice does not end with Duterte being arrested. We must dismantle the entire system that allowed these human rights abuses to happen.”
He also stressed that history should not be rewritten, especially by those who want to erase the truth about the 30,000 lives allegedly lost during the drug war.
“We will not forget the journalists, human rights activists, students, women, teachers, community leaders, farmers, and workers who were killed or disappeared under Duterte’s rule. Duterte, the Marcos government, and their allies must be held accountable for all the crimes they committed against the Filipino people.”
A Call for Action from the Marcos Administration
The group urged the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to start cooperating with the ICC again. The Philippines stopped working with the ICC in 2019 after Duterte pulled the country out of the court’s jurisdiction.
Jimenez made a strong appeal:
“We call on President Marcos to take action to ensure accountability. The government must re-engage with the ICC and allow justice to take its course. We also urge international bodies to convict those responsible for the extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s leadership.”
A Painting That Tells a Painful Story
During the event, a Filipino artist living in the Netherlands, Victor Cantal, unveiled a painting titled “The Theater of Terror.” It serves as a visual reminder of Duterte’s controversial drug war.
Cantal explained his artwork:
“This bloodied, cheap plastic chair symbolizes the poor communities that were most affected by Duterte’s extrajudicial killings.”
He warned that the horrors of Duterte’s war on drugs are not just things of the past but could resurface because of disinformation and efforts to change the narrative.
Duterte Defends His Actions
Despite the criticism and ongoing legal actions against him, Duterte has remained firm in defending his war on drugs. In a speech he gave in Hong Kong on March 9, he insisted that everything he did as president was to keep the country peaceful and safe.
In the past, he had also declared that he was willing to take full legal responsibility for the actions of the police during his anti-drug campaign.
However, human rights advocates argue that justice must be served for the thousands of lives lost. For now, the fight for accountability continues.
