MANILA, Philippines – “No one is above the law” — this is how a number of Filipinos reacted to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, March 11. Duterte was arrested based on a warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity for his bloody drug war.
Rappler first reported that Duterte’s arrest warrant was issued on Saturday, March 8, while the former president was attending an event to thank overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong.
Rappler Communities user Flo del Agua shared through the justice-and-human-rights chat room that Duterte’s arrest “will set a very good precedent to…future administrations that human rights will remain the top priority of the global community.”
Social media users saw Duterte’s arrest as a “day of reckoning,” adding that while justice “may be slow…it catches up.”
Others say they hope that the news would provide peace to victims of extrajudicial killings (EJK) and their families.
However, Facebook user Arvin Malabanan pointed out that while Duterte has the chance to gather his lawyers to defend him in court, EJK victims won’t have “the chance to defend nor speak for themselves because they were killed firstly.”
Meanwhile, other Filipinos are also wary about how Duterte will be treated following his arrest, citing the case of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo where the Supreme Court eventually acquitted her of plunder in 2016.
Social media users are expecting Duterte to pull off a “neck brace” stunt.
No shortcuts
When confronted by authorities during his arrest, Duterte said that he would rather be killed than be arrested by those serving the ICC warrant. He also later claimed in videos posted by his daughter Kitty that his arrest was illegal and had no legal basis.
Some Filipinos online immediately slammed Duterte’s comment, saying he “cannot fool everyone everyday.”
A number of social media users also poked fun at Senator Bong Go, a known close adviser of the former president, as he delivered pizza to the detained Duterte.
“If he wanted to, he would,” one Facebook user said.
Manifesting
People are also calling for the arrests of other prominent figures connected to Duterte, including his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, and his close allies, Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa, who is also under investigation by the ICC.
Duterte supporters react
Meanwhile, supporters of Duterte cited the former president’s achievements on reducing crime and making people feel safer, saying he “bravely took a stand, did everything he could, and tried his best to protect the country from drugs and addiction.”
Another Facebook user said that the Marcos administration is using Duterte’s arrest to cover up other issues such as the controversial transfer of Philhealth funds to the National Treasury.
How do you feel about Duterte’s arrest? Share your message with us through the Rappler Communities app and we may feature your entries in future Rappler posts or articles. – Rappler.com