Philippine Priests Celebrate Duterte’s Arrest and Hope for Justice

The arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been met with mixed emotions from two priests working with victims of his anti-drug campaign. Fathers Flavie Villanueva and Roberto dela Cruz express hope for justice while continuing their community support programs aimed at rehabilitating those affected by the violence and addiction prevalent during Duterte’s administration.

Two Philippine priests, Father Flavie Villanueva and Father Roberto dela Cruz, are closely monitoring the developments surrounding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court. They express a sense of cautious optimism regarding the possibility of justice for victims of Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, which led to thousands of deaths from 2016 to 2022.

Father Villanueva, who has worked with widows of those killed in the anti-drug operations, described his reaction to the arrest as a feeling of jubilation shared with those he helps. He celebrated a thanksgiving Mass attended by approximately 30 widows whose husbands were victims of the drug war, emphasizing the joyful sentiment akin to singing ‘Alleluia’ during Lent.

Human Rights Watch reports an alarming disparity in death tolls, revealing that while official government records cite over 6,000 deaths, estimates suggest the toll may exceed 30,000. Father’s Villanueva’s advocacy began in 2015, shortly before Duterte’s infamous campaign, creating the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation to aid those affected by the violence.

The foundation provides psycho-spiritual support through a comprehensive program for widows and victims’ families, addressing grief, trauma, and legal assistance. Father Villanueva’s center has directly supported around 350 widows and indirectly reached over 5,000 individuals through collaborations with local parishes and NGOs.

Father dela Cruz launched the Sanlakbay program to help rehabilitate drug offenders and individuals struggling with addiction, recognizing the urgent need for community-based solutions. He emphasizes the importance of involving families in the rehabilitation process while mitigating the adverse effects of the Duterte administration’s harsh drug policies.

In spite of the hopeful developments regarding Duterte’s accountability, Father dela Cruz points to the prevailing culture of impunity within Filipino politics. He prefers focusing on rehabilitation efforts rather than criticizing the campaign to avoid backlash while working alongside the government to provide sanctuary and support for surrenderers.

Duterte’s controversial “Tok-hang” operation aimed at suspected drug users and dealers, often led to violence and extrajudicial killings. Father dela Cruz’s Sanlakbay initiative has reached over 1,350 individuals but notes the challenges faced, including many participants relapsing into drug use. He underscores the importance of listening and meeting individuals in their circumstances while dealing with the realities of drug addiction and community needs.

The recent arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sparked a mix of hope and cautious optimism among priests involved in aiding victims of his administration’s anti-drug campaign. Fathers Flavie Villanueva and Roberto dela Cruz are committed to supporting bereaved families and rehabilitating drug offenders through their respective programs, while they grapple with the challenges posed by the damaging effects of the drug war and systemic impunity. Overall, these initiatives provide vital assistance to communities profoundly impacted by violence and aim to foster accountability and healing in the wake of trauma.

Original Source: www.osvnews.com