PNFSP on the Arrest of Former President Rodrigo Duterte: Justice for Victims of Crimes against Humanity

The Philippine Network on Food Security Programmes (PNFSP) strongly supports the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, executed under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s bloody “war on drugs.” This long-overdue action is a critical step toward justice for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings carried out under Duterte’s leadership.

During his presidency, Duterte’s anti-drug campaign resulted in the deaths of at least 6,000 individuals based on official government data, though human rights organizations estimate the actual toll to be as high as 30,000. The victims, overwhelmingly from poor and marginalized communities, were denied due process and dignity, as state forces carried out mass killings with impunity. Families were left grieving, communities were terrorized, and the rule of law was systematically eroded.

PNFSP has consistently condemned Duterte’s violent policies, which disproportionately harmed urban poor families, farmers, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples, many of whom already suffered from food insecurity, landlessness, and economic marginalization. The state-sponsored killings not only resulted in the loss of life but also aggravated poverty and hunger, as families lost breadwinners and communities were destabilized by fear and repression.

The arrest of Duterte should serve as a warning to all leaders that no one is above the law, and that impunity for human rights violations will not go unpunished. We call on the Philippine government to fully cooperate with the ICC and ensure that Duterte is held accountable for his crimes. Justice must extend beyond his arrest—it must include truth, reparations, and institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities.

Moreover, we urge the government to address the root causes of poverty and criminality through genuine social and economic reforms rather than violent and punitive measures. The right to food, land, and livelihood must be upheld alongside the right to justice.

PNFSP stands in solidarity with the families of the victims, human rights defenders, and all sectors advocating for accountability. This arrest is not the end but the beginning of a long struggle for truth, justice, and meaningful change in the Philippines.

Justice for the victims. No to impunity. Yes to accountability.