Families of Philippine drug war victims say 'justice moving forward' after Duterte's arrest

Record ID: 1983903

  • Title: Families of Philippine drug war victims say 'justice moving forward' after Duterte's arrest
  • Date: 12th March 2025
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (MARCH 12, 2025) (REUTERS) CATHOLIC PRIEST FLAVIE VILLANUEVA OFFICIATING CEREMONY FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS HOLDING HANDS WOODEN CROSS AMONG URNS VILLANUEVA CHANTING PRAYERS FAMILY MEMBERS LOOKING ON WOMAN LOOKING ON VARIOUS OF VILLANUEVA SPRINKLING HOLY WATER ON URNS FAMILY MEMBERS BLESSING URNS WOODEN CROSS AMONG URNS (SOUNDBITE) (
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Rodrigo Duterte drug war drug warinterment extrajudicial killing victims
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Fundamental Rights/Civil Liberties,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001821812032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Remains from more than a dozen victims of extrajudicial killings were laid to rest at a cemetery in Manila on Wednesday (March 12), as former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is facing murder charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for drug war killings.
    The interment of the remains was part of a non-government organisation's programme aimed at helping impoverished victims of extrajudicial killings during Duterte's war on drugs find a resting place for their slain relatives.
    Among the remains that were interred was the 44-year-old son of Josephine Comendo who was killed in 2016. She said Duterte's arrest has helped her family move on.
    Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was arrested early on Tuesday (March 11) in Manila, marking the biggest step yet in the ICC's probe into alleged crimes against humanity during an anti-drugs crackdown that killed thousands and drew condemnation around the world.
    Duterte, 79, could become the first Asian former head of state to go on trial at the ICC in The Hague.
    (Production: Artorn Pookasook, Peter Blaza)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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