Victims, rights groups hail Duterte's arrest

It's not enough for him to just be imprisoned; he should rot in jail to pay for the killings of Jory Porquia, John Farochilin, the Tumandok 9, and other victims of his administration,

Forro said

I believe this is not only a moment for justice to be served but a moment for our nation to heal — to confront the truth, to right the wrongs, and to choose love, compassion, and unity over hate and division,

he added

Sinalubong nang may kagalakan ng mga kaanak ng mga biktima ng Bloody Sunday Massacre ang pagkakaaresto kay (President) Duterte. Nabuhayan ng pag-asa ang mga biktima at kaanak nila na makakamit ang hustisya sa kanilang sinapit (The families of the victims of the Bloody Sunday Massacre are jubilant over the arrest of (President) Duterte. The hope for justice to the victims and their families enlivens),

Maranan said

As the news of the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte reaches us, I pause not to celebrate but to reflect with a heart full of gratitude to God — for His justice, His mercy, and His unfailing love,

he added

He deserves to be imprisoned and held accountable for his crimes against women and the Filipino people."

Elago called Duterte's arrest long overdue, saying

Martial Law in Mindanao, the dismissal of peace negotiations, which led to a bloody witch hunt against ordinary citizens who were simply fighting for human rights,

Lidasan said

We would like to express gratitude to groups and individuals that fought with us for the perpetrators to be held accountable. We still have a long way to go, but we are hopeful that we will strive and win our struggles,

added Asuncion

On the news that a warrant was issued against Duterte on the day of the Bloody Sunday Massacre commemoration, our hope for justice livens up,

Asuncion said in a separate statement on Wednesday, March 12, 2025

I walked through a valley of trials and tears,

he reflected, recalling the fear and hardship his family faced after being accused by Duterte of being a "drug protector."

You fooled the Filipino nation; hence, you must face the consequences."

Anna Baez, wife of slain Bayan-Batangas spokesman Lito Baez, was quoted in the Defend ST statement as saying

It will really be crucial in the coming weeks what kinds of narratives will be offered to the public and how the public will respond.”

Cleve V Arguelles, the CEO of the public opinion research firm WR Numero Research, said

It’s a fight for the survival of their political families, their dynasties.”

Both sides want their candidate to be elected president in 2028, so, she said

The arrest that we did today was in compliance with our commitments to Interpol. It just so happened that that came from ICC.”

Shortly after the plane carrying Duterte took off on Tuesday night, Marcos Jr told reporters

Suddenly they are now using terms that they were laughing at [before],

said Atienza

Pasalamat nga siya, dahil alam ko na, ‘di ba, ang International [Criminal] Court ay susunod sa kung ano ‘yung mandato nito. Igagalang ‘yung kanyang karapatan at bibigyan siya ng pagkakataon para ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili,

Randy said

Nakita naman natin kung papaano nila iginalang at sinunod ang proseso ng pagse-serve ng warrant…”

Randy pointed out

True justice is about accountability, transparency and the protection of human dignity,

he noted

The families of the victims deserve truth, reparations and justice. As a nation, we must ensure that such crimes never happen again,

the San Carlos bishop added

That is what democracy should be—no one is above the law, and everyone must answer for their actions,

he stressed

This is where we will see whether his actions were right or wrong and whether he should be held responsible if they were wrong,

Pabillo explained