In marking President Rodrigo Duterte’s last year as the country’s leader, some progressive groups have called for justice for the victims of drug war killings.
In a Facebook post, BAYAN secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said they would not allow the president to get away from the alleged offenses.
“Today is June 30, 2021, marking exactly one year left before Duterte’s term ends, and he is finally made accountable for his crimes,” said Reyes.
“We count 365 days left in his reign of terror. Let us not allow him to get away with murder by getting a virtual second term; whether as Vice President or through his proxies,” he added.
They said they supported the public calling for justice under his term and his trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“We join the clamor for justice for the killings committed under his watch. We support his prosecution before the ICC. We seek an and to the regime of extrajudicial killings, and we long for genuine change in governance.”
Justice for drug war victims called for in Duterte’s last year as president
According to Bahaghari spokesperson Rey Valmores-Salinas, even the life of the LGBT community has not been safe under the Duterte administration.
“Matapos ang limang taon, napakatindi ang panglalapastangan na naranasan ng LGBT sa ilalim ni Duterte, sa usapin man ‘yan ng pagkakait ng serbisyo, kawalan ng aksyon sa karahasan sa LGBT, o sa lantarang pangtatraydor sa atin para sa pakinabang ng mga dayuhan kagaya na ng nangyari kay Jennifer Laude,” said Salinas.
“Given the International Criminal Court’s decision, Duterte knows that the only way to escape justice is to die clinging to power. Kung kaya, inaasahan namin na dadami pa ang pambubusabos para kumapit si Duterte sa kapangyarihan,” he added.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno called on the government to stop the killings and help the Filipinos in the midst of the pandemic.
“Naghihikahos na nga ang mamamayang Pilipino dahil sa kawalan ng suporta mula sa gobyerno, paparatangan at papatayin pa sila habang sila’y nagsusumikap na humanap ng paraan upang mabuhay,” said Elmer Labog, chairman of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, in a statement.
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