Duterte should have been imprisoned a long time ago. He should be held accountable for his long list of crimes against workers.
Hundreds of cases of threats, harassment, and intimidation; the murder of 68 workers and unionists, including Dandy Miguel and Manny Asuncion; forced disappearances; and illegal arrests and the filing of fabricated charges — this is how Duterte attacked workers demanding wages, jobs, and rights.
Beyond this, he should be tried for his crimes against humanity. Thousands were killed under OPLAN Tokhang and OPLAN Double Barrel, and many more had their rights violated under the guise of “counter-insurgency” through EO70, which led to the formation of NTF-ELCAC, and the passing of the Anti-Terrorism Law.
This is a debt that Marcos owes to all the families and citizens seeking justice. The Marcos government must support the arrest warrant from the ICC, turn over Duterte to the proper authorities for him to be tried, and also prosecute Duterte for the crimes not covered by the ICC’s arrest warrant.
The imprisonment of Duterte is a step forward in achieving justice for all slain labor leaders; this happened just days after the 4th death anniversary of the victims of the Bloody Sunday Massacre.
Workers and citizens must continue to unite until Duterte is held accountable for all his wrongdoings. We must not allow any maneuver by any camp to divert Duterte from facing accountability.