Emily Soriano washed this week when a friend of her house plunged into her house with news about their annual search for justice.
In December 2016, gunmen attacked a house in their poor neighborhood north of Manila and started shooting. They killed seven people, including three children and pregnant women. Mrs. Soriano and her girlfriend, Isabelita Espinosa, each lost his son, both teenagers.
For the victims of the victims, the massacre seemed nonsensical, like thousands of other out -of -court killings made during the so -called drug war with former President Rodrigu Duterte. Mrs. Soriano and Mrs. Espinosa have long considered him responsible for the death of his sons – Angelito Soriano, 15, and Sonny Espinosa, 16 – claiming they were innocent.
The arrest of Mr. Duterte on Tuesday, on charges of crimes against humanity, was the main milestone to responsibility, women said.
“Now it depends on the fact that justice is served,” Mrs. Espinosa said. “And that we will not allow these butchers and tyrants to stay in power.” We must defend ourselves. ”
While he was in office, Mr. Duterte has publicly encouraged violence that a group of rights claims to have left tens of thousands of dead. He promised immunity towards police officers who focused on people they called “suspicious drugs” to the authorities. Many of them were also killed by vigilants.
Mr. Duterte joined the Campaign of the Presidency on the basis of his credentials. He started a deadly campaign for the countergrug in Davao, where he has been mayor for years and is accused of running the so -called death death.
Between 2001 and 2007, Clarita Alia said that at the command of Mr. Duterte, four of their sons were killed – all teenagers accused of minor crimes. Over the past two decades, it has become a symbol of protest against killing in Davao, where speaking against Mr. Dutert was once unthinkable.
“I’m glad he was imprisoned,” Mrs. Alia said. “Now he will feel what the people he hurt felt.”
Mr. Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday after the International Criminal Court issued an order that accused him of crimes against humanity. A few hours later, he was transported to the Hague, where both ICC and her retaining equipment are founded.
It is expected for the first time to appear in court on Friday, according to a court official. However, his court is expected to begin for months.
In the order three judges of the court wrote that they were submitted to them that led them to believe that Mr. Duterte was personally responsible for killing and for attacks that were “widespread and systematic”.
Mr. Duterte claimed that ICC had no jurisdiction in the Philippines because he withdrew his country from court when he was president. But in the order, however, the judges wrote that they were looking at out -of -court killing, while Manila was a member of the court. His supporters condemned his arrest and handover of ICC as political persecution of current President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Mr. Marcos said that he adheres to Interpol, who published the order of ICC.
In Davao, in many parts of the city, Mr. Duterte’s fortress was exhibited with the words “Bring Duterte Home”. Some residents stuck their photos on their vehicles in the support show.
Ronald Camino said that only criminals were angry with Mr. Duterte. “Those who do good are arrested,” he said.
In the Manila area, Mrs. Espinosa received a report on Mr. Duterte’s arrest in a text message. Soon she and Mrs. Soriano knocked on the door of the neighbors and gathered relatives of other victims against the drug war. In the afternoon, six other women and hundreds of others joined them and lit candles to indicate the arrest of Mr. Duterte.
During this rally, in the nearby city of Quezon, Mrs. Espinosa cried for her son.
Mrs. Soriano said she shared her birthday with Mr. Dutert, who turns on March 28 to 80 years. “I want to tell him,” I’m happy, that’s a gift for me. But it’s bad luck for you because you will celebrate your birthday in prison. “”
However, some of the Philippines tried to process their emotions.
The son of Rodriga Baylon Lenin was killed by a stray bullet during a shootout in Calocan in 2016, three days before he was 10.
Mr. Duterte’s arrest, Mr. Baylon said, also meant that he had experienced this terrible event again. At that time, police chief Mr. Duterte Ronald Dela Ros, who is now a senator, rejected Lenin’s death as collateral damage in the drug war.
“Is that what righteousness calls?” Said Mr. Baylon. “And will justice really come from ICC?”
He asked why a foreign court, not a Philippine government, considered Mr. Duterte to be responsible.
“Doesn’t the government help people like us?” Said Mr. Baylon.
Marlis Simons Messages from Paris contributed.
