Duterte Human Rights Case: Activists Wish Him More Birthdays
3 min read
MARCH 28,2025
MANILA, Philippines – As former President Rodrigo Duterte marks his 80th birthday, human rights activists and victims’ families have a unique wish for him: a long life—so he can witness the full course of his crimes against humanity trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Duterte Human Rights Case: Activists Push for Justice on His 80th Birthday
In a video message on Friday, March 28, lawyer and former lawmaker Neri Colmenares, who represents victims of the controversial drug war, extended birthday greetings to Duterte—but with a pointed remark.
“From all of us here at Bayan Muna: Happy, happy birthday. May you have more birthdays to come—in prison,” said Colmenares. He emphasized the continued fight for justice for the thousands of lives lost under Duterte’s violent anti-drug campaign.
Meanwhile, Renato Reyes Jr., president of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), said Duterte should consider himself lucky to even celebrate a birthday.
“Today is Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday, but we must remember the thousands who were killed during his reign of terror. They can no longer celebrate their birthdays,” Reyes stated.
“We also stand in solidarity with political prisoners like Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Romina Astudillo, jailed under his regime. They continue to mark their birthdays behind bars,” he added.
Duterte Human Rights Case: “May He Live Long Enough to Face Justice”
Activists are clear: they don’t wish harm upon the former president, but they want him to see the consequences of his actions.
“We wish that Mr. Duterte lives long enough to face his victims in the ICC, understand what due process truly means, and witness the justice that was denied to so many,” Reyes said.
Former Bayan Muna Representative and Makabayan senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño echoed this sentiment. He stressed that Duterte’s birthday should serve as a reminder of the ongoing fight for accountability.
“Now that Duterte is in ICC custody, the wheels of justice are finally turning. But this is just one step,” said Casiño. “Real justice means holding all perpetrators accountable—not just Duterte—but everyone involved in this fake war on drugs. It also means ensuring that such state-sponsored violence never happens again.”
Duterte’s Family Travels to the Netherlands Amid Arrest
Duterte remains detained in The Hague, Netherlands. His common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, and their daughter Kitty Duterte flew to the Netherlands earlier this week to visit him.
His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, has also been in the Netherlands since his arrest. On March 20, she stated that it is part of her duty as Vice President to bring detained Filipinos back home. This raised speculation about her efforts to intervene in her father’s case.
How Duterte Was Arrested and Taken to The Hague
Authorities arrested Duterte on March 11 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. Interpol and Philippine officials enforced the ICC’s arrest order. He later boarded a chartered plane from Villamor Air Base and landed in The Hague that night.
RELATED STORY: Rodrigo Duterte Arrested for Crimes Against Humanity
Despite questioning the legality of his arrest, the former president ultimately conceded to ICC jurisdiction—an ironic twist given his past defiance of the court’s authority.
A Turning Point for Human Rights in the Philippines?
For many Filipinos, Duterte’s 80th birthday represents a turning point in the fight for human rights and justice. While the legal process continues, activists remain committed to ensuring that the former president—and all others responsible for the drug war killings—are held accountable.
As Casiño aptly put it, “This is not a day for celebration but a day of remembrance. A reminder that the fight for justice is far from over.”
About The Author
