On March 14, 2025, the streets of Quezon City, Philippines, echoed with calls for justice as former President Rodrigo Duterte faced trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his notorious war on drugs. This moment marks a significant milestone for the countless victims and their families who have long sought accountability for the state-sponsored violence that characterized Duterte’s administration. Yet, while this trial symbolizes hope, it also raises pressing questions about the broader web of complicity that extends beyond Duterte himself.
The ICC’s actions serve as a powerful reminder that those in positions of power can be held accountable for crimes against humanity. However, the reality is that many individuals who facilitated or supported Duterte’s violent campaign remain unscathed. Among them are influential figures such as former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, as well as current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The international community now faces a critical test: will it have the resolve to pursue justice for all those complicit in these atrocities?
The need for accountability is underscored by the findings of two international people’s tribunals held in Brussels in 2018 and 2024. These tribunals gathered testimonies from families of victims of extrajudicial killings, revealing that the brutal tactics employed during Duterte’s presidency have continued under Marcos. The tribunals concluded that both the Trump and Biden administrations played significant roles in financing the Philippine government’s violent crackdown on dissent. Notably, the Philippines remains one of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid in the Indo-Pacific region, raising serious ethical questions about the implications of such support.
The victims of this violent campaign were not limited to drug users; they included activists, dissidents, and ordinary citizens who dared to speak out against the government. Duterte’s establishment of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) was a pivotal moment in this context. This task force weaponized the civilian bureaucracy against perceived enemies of the state, leading to a systematic pattern of killings, illegal arrests, and human rights violations. Activists like Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano have shared harrowing accounts of abduction and torture, illustrating the dire consequences of dissent in the Philippines.
Irene Khan, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, visited the Philippines in January 2024. She called for the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC, emphasizing that its operations endanger the lives of activists and critics. Khan highlighted the practice of “red-tagging,” where individuals are publicly branded as communists or terrorists, often preceding violent reprisals. This practice not only violates human rights but also contravenes international humanitarian law, which seeks to protect civilians during conflicts.
The quest for justice must encompass all victims of Duterte’s regime, including those from marginalized rural communities. Evidence presented at the tribunals revealed the use of indiscriminate aerial bombings targeting guerrilla bases, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. While Duterte may have initiated these operations, Marcos has perpetuated them by allowing the NTF-ELCAC to continue its reign of terror.
The political landscape in the U.S. complicates matters further. The potential return of Trump to the White House raises concerns about the future of U.S. aid to the Philippines. While his administration previously cut aid across the board, it paradoxically increased financial support for counterinsurgency operations in the Philippines. This dynamic underscores the need for a critical examination of foreign policy and its implications for human rights abroad.
As the international community grapples with these issues, voices like Bernadette Ellorin, national spokesperson for Bayan USA, and Azadeh Shahshahani, legal and advocacy director at Project South, remind us of the importance of collective action. They advocate for genuine democracy and sovereignty in the Philippines, emphasizing that accountability must extend to all who have contributed to the cycle of violence.
In conclusion, while the trial of Rodrigo Duterte at the ICC is a significant step toward justice, it is only the beginning of a long and arduous journey. The call for accountability must resonate beyond the former president, encompassing all those who have enabled and perpetuated a culture of violence and impunity. The world is watching, and the time for justice is now.
