CinemaBravo

Tears flowed as families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims reunited at the Dambana ng Paghilom (Shrine of Healing) in La Loma Cemetery, Caloocan City, to lay the remains of their 18 loved ones to rest.

The gathering wasn’t just a moment of mourning — it became a powerful call for justice, reignited by the International Criminal Court’s recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who now faces trial in The Hague, Netherlands.

Crispin Cena, who lost his son to Duterte’s brutal drug war, expressed his emotional relief. “Matatanggap na ng anak ko ang hustisya niya. Hindi lang sa anak ko, kundi sa iba niyang pinagpapatay na tao” (“My son will finally get his justice. Not just for him, but for the others Duterte killed too”), he said, holding back tears.

For many families present, the arrest represents a long-awaited glimmer of hope — a chance to see accountability for the deaths that tore their lives apart. The ceremony became a powerful reminder of their unwavering demand for truth and justice.

Gloria de Jesus, another grieving mother, didn’t hold back her anger. “Gusto ko mangyari rin sa kanya ang ginawa niya sa anak ko. Marami siyang pinapatay,” she said.

(I want him to suffer the same fate he gave my child. He killed so many.)

Maria Tion, who lost her husband, echoed the pain shared by many. “Kulang pa rin ang buhay niya para sa amin, kasi sa dami namin. Katulad ng asawa ko, di naman adik. Di naman addict lahat iyan,” she said.

(His life isn’t enough to repay what he did to all of us, because there are so many of us. My husband wasn’t even an addict. Not everyone they killed was an addict.)

While they admitted that the trial process will take a long time, they believe that Duterte’s arrest was a significant first step towards achieving justice for the deaths of their loved ones.

They also expressed hope that others responsible for the extrajudicial killings would be held accountable.

Following Duterte’s arrest, the ICC is now reportedly eyeing the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and former Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde.

Before becoming a lawmaker, Dela Rosa served as Duterte’s first PNP chief and was the chief implementer of Oplan Double Barrel and Oplan Tokhang as part of the former administration’s campaign promise to end illegal drugs in three to six months.

He also defended Duterte’s drug war numerous times after being elected senator, even remarking “shit happens” when asked about the death of a three-year-old girl in an anti-drug operation.

Expecting that he may be next in line for arrest, Dela Rosa said he will seek temporary protection from the Senate if the ICC issues a warrant against him.

“Hanggat kaya nga niya, hanggat kaya ng Senate president na kupkupin niya muna ko. Hindi niya muna ako i-surrender kung may warrant of arrest, kung may session kami. I hope respetuhin din siya ng executive branch of government kasi mayroon naman ‘yan ang ganoon protocol,” Dela Rosa said.

(As long as he can, as long as the Senate President can shelter me for now, I hope he won’t surrender me if there’s a warrant of arrest, especially if we have a session. I hope the executive branch of government respects that because there’s a protocol for it.)