Pro and anti-Duterte groups react to his arrest

CEBU, Philippines — The recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte continue to collect mixed reactions from Cebu, with human rights groups demanding full accountability for his alleged crimes while his supporters decry the move and rally behind him.

In Cebu City, families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims, as well as solid Duterte supporters, held separate events—either feeling partially victorious over the former president’s arrest or grieving for what happened to their “Tatay Digong.”

In a press conference yesterday, various representatives from progressive groups and organizations of the families of EJK victims and other human rights violations called for justice, as they believe Duterte’s arrest is not enough for him to be held accountable for the alleged killings perpetrated during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“Duterte ikulong, Marcos singilin!” This was the chant of cause-oriented groups such as the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)-West Visayas Jurisdictional Area, represented by Bishop Feliciana Tenchavez; Bayan Central Visayas chairperson Jaime Paglinawan; ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro; former Gabriela party-list representative Liza Maza; and Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary General Jerome Adonis.

They continue to cry for justice and accountability for the killings, arrests, and other human rights violations during Duterte’s administration.

Raquel Lopez, a member of Rise Up Cebu and mother of an EJK victim in 2018, said her 28-year-old son was killed during Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

“Ang akong anak gipusil makatulo ka higayon. Sakit kaayo isip inahan nga ing-ana lang kasayon patyon ang imong anak. Hangtud karon mangita pa mi og hustisya,” said Lopez.

Other mothers, like Elizabeth Ordonia and Salvacion Gequillo, also narrated their ordeal and pain when their respective sons were killed during Duterte’s war on drugs.

Rise Up Cebu is an organization of parents or guardians whose children were victims of EJK.

Sanlakas, in a statement, said that while Duterte is now set to face charges of crimes against humanity at The Hague, they still have “monsters” to fight at home.

“Duterte’s bloody war on drugs was a criminal conspiracy. Its masterminds should be prosecuted. Bato dela Rosa, the chief executor of tokhang, should be arrested next,” Sanlakas said.

On the other hand, several activities were set starting yesterday in different parts of Cebu– a

Vote-rich province that gave the former President a resounding 1.4 million votes during the 2016 presidential election.

In Lapu-Lapu City, former mayor and mayoralty candidate Paz Corro Radaza led the offertory during a solemn Mass for peace and the good health of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Sto. Niño de Mactan Parish in Barangay Mactan.

Radaza, together with her Team Derecho slate, took this initiative to show their sympathetic support for Duterte, who recently endorsed the entire slate.

Radaza continues to ask Oponganons to include Duterte’s health condition in their prayers, expressing hope that everything will fall into place.

Radaza and her slate are members of the PDP political party, whose chairperson is Duterte.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a statement that the AFP is focused on its core mission of safeguarding national security and maintaining stability.

“The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte is a matter of law enforcement and, therefore, outside the AFP’s direct purview. The AFP remains strictly professional and non-partisan,” part of the statement

read.

Padilla said that while the security situation remains stable, the AFP is actively monitoring developments and is prepared to respond appropriately to any threats to peace and order.

“We assure the public that we maintain a high state of readiness,” she said.

Padilla added that speculations of military action or unrest have no basis, as the AFP remains solid and professional, unequivocally committed to the chain of command and the democratic institutions of the Philippines.

“We call on all Filipinos to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law. Let us prioritize unity and allow the legal processes to unfold. We have full confidence in our institutions to handle this matter with due diligence,” Padilla further said. –/ATO (FREEMAN)