Families of Drug War Victims Celebrate Arrest
On March 11, Jack Alvarez and other mourners gathered at Ina ng Lupang Pangako Parish in Quezon City to thank God for the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Many attendees had lost loved ones to Duterte’s war on drugs and brought photographs of them to the service. The evening concluded with the hymn Pananagutan, emphasizing collective responsibility and justice.
Alvarez, a pastor from Payatas, recalled how police executed multiple residents daily during Duterte’s administration. He recounted an incident in 2016 when law enforcement shot five men, accusing them of being drug dealers. Many families in the congregation viewed Duterte’s arrest as long-overdue justice.
Duterte’s Supporters Rally for His Release
While some Christians celebrated the arrest, thousands of Duterte’s supporters in Davao City and across Mindanao protested. They held placards reading “We Stand with Duterte” and “We Love You, Tatay” while lighting candles and praying for his freedom.
Maria Palacio, a pastor at the House of Unlimited Grace, expressed unwavering support for Duterte, calling him the best president she had seen. She admired his “iron fist” leadership, which she believed cleaned up the streets and made citizens feel safer. Palacio, whose own family was affected by drug addiction, credited Duterte’s policies with curbing crime and restoring order. She would have voted for him again in the upcoming Davao mayoral election had she still been a resident.
Evangelical Opinions Split Along Regional Lines
According to Aldrin Peñamora, director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches’ Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation Commission, evangelical reactions to Duterte’s arrest largely align with regional politics. Many northern evangelical communities welcome the ICC’s intervention, while those in Mindanao remain fiercely loyal to Duterte.
Some Duterte supporters blame current President Bongbong Marcos for the arrest, citing his distancing from Duterte’s drug war policies. The political divide deepened after Marcos and Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, publicly clashed, culminating in her impeachment last month. Misinformation, including AI-generated images of Duterte prayer rallies and fake news about the ICC, has further complicated public opinion.
Calls for Justice and Government Accountability
While Duterte’s supporters argue that his leadership brought order, critics highlight the thousands of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under his rule. Gabby Go Balauag, a staff member at Hope of Glory Community Church in Bulacan, questioned the morality of Christians endorsing state-sponsored violence. He emphasized the sanctity of life and government accountability as central Christian values.
His senior pastor, Jonel Milan, leads daily prayers on national issues, including the upcoming senatorial elections and the West Philippine Sea dispute. Many congregants believe Duterte’s drug war was unjust and hope the ICC will hold him accountable.
Looking Ahead: Duterte’s Trial and the Church’s Role
Duterte appeared in court in The Hague on March 14, with his trial set to begin on September 23. Peñamora urged church leaders to prevent political divisions from fracturing their congregations. He also prayed for Duterte’s spiritual well-being while reminding Christians to stand with the victims’ families.
In Payatas, Alvarez continues his advocacy through Bawat Isa Mahalaga, an evangelical ministry promoting civic engagement. Each week, his church collaborates with the parish to provide food aid to those orphaned or widowed by the drug war. He believes evangelicals must speak out against EJKs, reinforcing that all life is under Christ’s lordship.
Source:
Filipino Evangelicals Celebrate—and Protest—Duterte’s Arrest
Image: Wikipedia
About Post Author
