Manila, Philippines – Nearly eight years have elapsed since brothers Crisanto and Juan Carlos Pasco vanished from their home in Quezon City, a densely populated area of Metro Manila. A day later, their bodies were found, bearing the scars of violence that would haunt their mother, Llore Pasco, for years to come.
In May 2017, Crisanto, a dedicated father of four, left home to obtain a license to work as a private security guard. Shortly after, his brother Juan Carlos set off to follow him. Tragically, both would never return.
The grief-stricken mother recounted how a shocking television report revealed that her sons were accused of robbery by the police shortly before their deaths. Recovering their bodies from the morgue required not only emotional fortitude but also financial sacrifice, as she had to pay a substantial fee to lay them to rest. The ensuing years were marked by despair, as Pasco endured the agony of waiting for justice that seemed perpetually out of reach.
This week, however, a significant turn of events brought a glimmer of hope to Pasco and many others affected by the Philippines’ tumultuous war on drugs. The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, initiated by an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, sparked deep emotion for Pasco. As a committed member of the Rise Up for Life and for Rights organization, which encompasses mothers and wives of victims of the drug war, she expressed a mix of anxiety and elation at the prospect of justice finally being pursued.
Duterte, whose administration has been linked to the deaths of thousands of suspected drug offenders during his term from 2016 to 2022, is facing charges of crimes against humanity. Official records indicate over 7,000 fatalities linked to anti-drug operations; however, rights groups allege the number could be even higher, reflecting a deeply troubling legacy of violence.
Upon his arrival in The Hague, Duterte’s handover marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for accountability. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged the arrest as a fulfillment of the country’s obligations to Interpol, asserting a commitment to uphold international law.
The emotional aftermath of Duterte’s arrest reverberated beyond Pasco. Other victims’ families found a renewed sense of possibility amid their anguish. Christine Pascual, whose son Joshua was also a victim of the drug war, voiced her surprise and joy at the developments, stating this realization of legal action is long overdue.
For families torn apart by these events, Duterte’s arrest serves as a crucial step toward recognizing the need for accountability and lawfulness that they believe should have been present all along. As they gather and unite in pursuit of justice, the broader implications of this case underscore the international community’s role in reinforcing human rights standards and addressing the tragic aftermath of violence.
The heightened attention to these social issues reaffirms the unwavering spirit of those seeking justice within the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of due process and accountability in a society grappling with the scars of a challenging past.
#PoliticsNews #WorldNews