Duterte ikulong! Justice for all victims of Duterte’s crimes against humanity!

3/11/25

GABRIELA USA joins the millions of Filipinos crying out for justice for all victims of Duterte’s bloody “War on Drugs” and rampant human rights violations, as former Philippine President Duterte is flown to The Hague after an arrest made warranted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Duterte regime is responsible for over 30,000 drug-related extrajudicial killings (EJKs), 442 politically motivated EJKs, over 480,000 forced evacuations and 1,300+ illegal arrests and detention. The victims of his violent presidency varied from women workers, journalists, clergy members, peasant leaders, youth activists and human rights defenders who tirelessly fought against the militarization of the country. 

Duterte’s attacks were concentrated on urban poor and peasant Filipino masses, especially the youth, which left mothers, sisters, daughters and wives alone and mourning for their dear loved ones. These survivors of his bloody regime were already facing the brunt of the economic crisis and the loss of their family members exposed to them that Duterte did not have their well-being or interests in mind. While the people were clamoring to address the root causes of poverty, lack of social services and healthcare, Duterte bolstered the military and counterinsurgency programs instead. He spat anti-people rhetoric claiming that the poor were responsible for the increase in crimes and killings, when in reality he used his authority to intentionally direct attacks against the civilian population.

Duterte’s legacy is also stained by his rampant macho-fascist comments made against women, especially those who fought back against his regime. From jokes about rape, forcibly kissing a woman in front of an audience of OFWs, to ordering his soldiers to shoot female NPA fighters “in the vagina,” Duterte utilized his misogyny to cultivate fear and deceive the people. His “macho” and “strongman” personality fueled the aggressive “War on Drugs” and other counterinsurgency plots including red-tagging and attacks against activists – including leaders of GABRIELA USA. 

Duterte’s arrest is long overdue and we demand that the Philippines rejoin the ICC to speed up the process. Bongbong Marcos Jr. has the ability to advance Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and even Sara Duterte’s impeachment, but his inaction speaks volumes on not only his complacency but also his continuation of some of Duterte’s worst policies such as the War on Drugs and human rights violations against peasants and workers. 

Despite Duterte’s macho-fascist attacks, his regime only sparked the militant Filipino women’s movement to grow! From the Philippines to the US, and around the globe, GABRIELA members organized more women and waged campaigns against Duterte and for justice for the victims of his rule. We waged the #BabaeAko movement that shed international light on Duterte’s crimes, organized more Filipino women into GABRIELA and other anti-fascist orgs like Malaya Movement, and led opposition to the Anti-Terror Law amid the COVID-19 pandemic. GABRIELA USA is committed to growing our mass movement, opposing these fascist leaders and towards building a just society for Filipino women and the whole of the masses! 

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