The arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has definitely caused quite a stir, and as an ordinary Filipino, I can’t help but think about what this all means for us—the people who aren’t sitting in fancy offices but are, instead, merely making ends meet and surviving the everyday ups and downs of life.
The ICC is investigating Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs, and now, the man who once swaggered through the streets of Manila, oozing machismo and making bold promises about taking down crime, is facing an international legal showdown. But what does this really mean for us?
Let’s start with the idea of sovereignty.
Now, I’m no expert in international law, but I do know this: When Duterte pulled the Philippines out of the Rome Statute in 2019, it was like telling the world, “We can handle our own business, thank you very much.”
As a regular Filipino, I get the appeal of wanting to protect our country’s right to make its own decisions, especially after years of colonization and foreign intervention. But here’s the thing—Duterte’s arrest feels like a reminder that while sovereignty is important, there are still consequences when a government makes choices that go against the basic principles of human rights.
So, while some might see it as an affront to our national pride, others might see it as a moment where the world is saying, “Hey, maybe you should take a look at the bigger picture.”
It’s like getting caught after skipping CAT marching sessions to play billiards; you can run, but you can’t hide.
Then there’s the whole question of political stability.
You see, Duterte’s war on drugs definitely had its fans. A lot of us saw it as a way to curb crime in our communities, which, let’s be honest, was a pretty big concern for a lot of Filipinos. But, with his arrest, you can almost hear the collective gasp from his loyal supporters, who see this as an attack on the guy who promised to rid the streets of drug lords.
They’re probably asking, “Is this the justice we voted for?”
For them, this is like watching their favorite basketball team get disqualified from the finals, and
they’re not taking it lightly. On the other hand, there’s also a group of us who believe in accountability, especially when it comes to leadership.
Sure, Duterte might have been tough, but if thousands of deaths occurred without due process, can we just pretend it didn’t happen? For some of us, his arrest represents a small but meaningful step toward showing that no one is above the law.
The thing is, while we debate the political side of things, it all boils down to what this means for the regular Filipino on the ground. Are we better off now that Duterte’s facing these charges? It’s hard to say.
Politically, things are already getting messy. The polarization is unprecedented and it has caused one helluva fallout in social media where lots of unfriending and blocking are happening the moment people started posting their “legal opinions.”
If the government decides to push back against the ICC’s decision, it could create tensions both within the country and internationally.
Imagine all the back-and-forth that’ll go on between politicians and diplomats while we, the people, just try to get through our day. Some of us might feel like we’re caught in the middle of a video game, guessing what happens next, while we’re just trying to pay the bills and get our kids through school.
On the other hand, maybe it’ll teach us something about justice and accountability. If Duterte’s arrest does lead to stronger institutions, maybe we’ll have more faith in the rule of law in the future. After all, we’ve seen enough corruption and injustice to last a lifetime.
For some Filipinos, seeing a former president being held accountable might be the nudge we need to believe in a future where things aren’t always about who’s got the most power or connections.
So, to sum it up, Duterte’s arrest is a big deal, but for us regular Filipinos, it’s kind of like watching a political telenovela unfold. There’s drama, there’s tension, and there’s no telling how it’s going to end.
We might be divided on the issue, but I think most of us just want to live in a country where justice, fairness, and accountability are more than just buzzwords.
Whether the ICC’s actions will lead us there is still up in the air.
But at least for now, we can sit back, grab some pulutan, and watch how this all plays out.
