Photo credit: Bong Go

For the families of the victims of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war, his arrest on March 11, 2025, marks a long-awaited victory—a hard-earned triumph of justice nearly eight years in the making.

This has been a relentless battle for truth and accountability, stretching nearly a decade—especially against a former strongman who, until his arrest, continued to deny any wrongdoing despite mounting charges. His refusal to acknowledge the devastation he caused only deepened the pain for the families who lost loved ones in the wake of his violent drug campaign.

Duterte’s arrest occurred around 9 a.m., when agents from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interpol intercepted him after the commercial plane he was boarding touched down in Manila from Hong Kong, where he had met with Filipino overseas workers. Within moments, the former president found himself in police custody—a stark contrast to the power he once wielded.

The drama of his downfall continued throughout the day. After spending over 12 hours at a facility within Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Duterte was escorted onto a chartered plane. By 11 p.m., he was en route to Dubai and then to The Hague, where he will face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity.

For Duterte, the arrest was no surprise. He had long anticipated it, dismissing the charges against him with defiance. In numerous statements over the years, he insisted that his brutal crackdown was meant to protect the youth of the Philippines from the scourge of illegal drugs—a justification he offered despite growing international condemnation.

Yet, one can’t help but ask: Is life so cheap that it can be bartered for a campaign promise, no matter how noble it may seem? This is a question that lingers in silence.

Violence was no stranger to Duterte. In fact, those who knew him well confessed that he merely extended the same pattern of impunity he exhibited during his time as mayor of Davao City to a national level when he became president.

The playbook he followed during his drug campaign as mayor became the blueprint for his nationwide crackdown. He earned the moniker “The Punisher” for a reason. Duterte, it seemed, thrived in violent situations, as a political analyst once pointed out.

When Duterte campaigned for the presidency in 2016, the fight against illegal drugs was at the heart of his platform. He promised to rid the country of the drug menace, vowing that he would stop at nothing to achieve that goal. Once in office, he launched an all-out war that claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos, many of whom were poor, marginalized, and without access to justice. His violent tactics were condemned both locally and internationally as excessive and inhumane.

However, there were also those who idolized Duterte, praising his hardline approach to the drug problem.

As we reflect on last Tuesday’s pivotal moment, the nation remains divided. Yet, it is essential to remember that this issue is not about the Dutertes and their political rivals; it is about the victims, their families, and their relentless pursuit of justice.

In other words, the issue at hand is fundamentally ethical, not political. Lives were lost, and this undeniable reality transcends politics.

Let us not lose sight of this narrative, for doing so would undermine the very values our nation stands for. Justice and accountability must go hand in hand. The victims and their families deserve to know the truth, including who are responsible for their suffering.

As I watched the live broadcast of Tuesday’s unfolding events, I was among the many who could scarcely believe that such a fate could befall a man like Duterte—the once-mighty leader who portrayed himself as invincible in every way.

But after his arrest, I came to a realization: Duterte is only human, after all.

During the arrest, as he argued with authorities, he tried to maintain the pride and hubris that had defined him as the country’s leader. Yet, he was physically weak and too old to make his last stand. In his heart of hearts, Duterte must have known that the political landscape had changed—someone else, not him, was now calling the shots.

He will have to summon whatever strength remains within him to fight his case another day.

In the meantime, the nation watches in a mixture of disbelief and astonishment as the once-mighty “Digong” now stands vulnerable, no longer invincible.

His downfall is a sobering reminder that even the strongest can be brought to justice—and that, for the victims and their families, this is only the beginning of a long-awaited reckoning.

Roseten Tugaff

Roseten “Tenten” Tugaff is an experienced journalist with a rich background in reporting. He began his career in the mid-’90s, working with the now-defunct Manila Chronicle and The Manila Times shortly after graduating from college. Throughout his career, he has also held various roles in government. Currently, he is a freelance media relations practitioner and hosts his own online political podcast.