LOOK: Groups, EJK victims’ kin offer prayers following Duterte’s arrest

Following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, various progressive groups and relatives of drug war victims offered their prayers and lit candles for their loved ones, as they called for the imprisonment of the previous chief executive on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. —INQUIRER.net/Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — Following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, various progressive groups and relatives of drug war victims offered their prayers and lit candles for their loved ones, as they called for the imprisonment of the former chief executive.

The protesters started the candle-lighting event at around 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday. This follows Palace’s confirmation that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued Duterte’s arrest warrant as reported by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

As of 6 p.m., the crowd estimate along the area reached 400, according to Makabayan Coalition. The protest was also attended by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) president Renato Reyes Jr., among others.

Earlier during the protest, relatives of the victims once again reminisced about the death of their loved ones.

Based on reports, Duterte’s war on drugs left at least 6,000 people dead; however, human rights groups reported that the number may have reached 20,000.

Duterte has already boarded a chartered flight to The Hague. He was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Tuesday morning and was transferred to the Villamor Air Base.

The former president is facing an arrest warrant from the ICC over alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s bloody drug war.