Filipino’s affected by drug war hold vigil after Duterte’s arrest

STORY: :: Filipino activists and families of drug war victims hold a vigil following ex-President Duterte’s arrest

:: Manila, Philippines

:: March 11, 2025

::Christine Pascaul, Mother of drug war victim

“Through our prayers and the people who helped us – we did not expect to achieve something like this, to see a president, someone like Duterte, receive a warrant of arrest.”

:: Llore Pasco, Mother of drug war victims

“This is only the start of our fight. Our justice has not yet been achieved because there’s still a lot of things that will happen, but we will not stop fighting.”

Duterte, the maverick former mayor who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was served an arrest warrant on arrival from Hong Kong at Manila’s main airport on Tuesday.

The “war on drugs” was Duterte’s signature campaign platform that swept the former prosecutor to power and he soon delivered on promises he made during vitriolic speeches to kill thousands of drug pushers and users.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Tuesday a plane carrying former leader Rodrigo Duterte has left Philippine airspace headed for The Hague.

Marcos said Duterte was arrested in compliance with an Interpol request and Duterte is expected to face charges related to his war on drugs.