Philippines: Duterte's Arrest Sparks Mixed Emotions

Families of drug war victims express a bittersweet sense of justice, overshadowed by their profound grief.

On March 14, 2025, news broke of the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.) on charges of crimes against humanity. This event marked a significant moment for many Filipinos who have endured the pain of losing loved ones during the violent drug war initiated by Duterte.

In a neighborhood north of Manila, two mothers, Emily Soriano and Isabelita Espinosa, recalled the tragic day in December 2016 when gunmen entered their community, killing seven people, including their innocent sons. For Soriano and Espinosa, Duterte’s leadership and policies had been directly responsible for a climate that allowed such violence to flourish. The news of his arrest brought a complicated mixture of relief and longing for justice.

"What matters to me now is that justice is served,” expressed Espinosa. The women, advocating for accountability, find themselves motivated by the desire to prevent further atrocities and ensure that such "butchers and tyrants" do not maintain power.

While some see Duterte's apprehension as a victory in their quest for justice, they remain deeply affected by their loss. The complexities of hope, grief, and the fight for accountability continue to echo throughout their lives, especially as the repercussions of the drug war persist in Filipino society.