Caritas PH to ex-president Duterte: Face justice, cooperate in ICC probe

The Catholic Church’s social aid and development arm has issued a statement and urged former President Rodrigo Duterte to cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation on his administration's war on drugs following his arrest on Monday morning.

In a statement on Tuesday, Caritas Philippines said Duterte has been expressing willingness to accept arrest should the ICC issue a warrant.

“We call on him to honor this commitment and fully submit to the rule of law,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Caritas Philippines president.

“True justice is not about political allegiance or personal loyalty—it is about accountability, transparency, and the protection of human dignity. We urge Duterte to uphold his own words and submit himself to the legal process,” he added.

Bishop Bagaforo was referring to the confirmation of Malacañang Tuesday that the former President is under the custody of authorities after getting arrested for crimes against humanity.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that when the former president arrived in Manila, authorities served the warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him.

Earlier, former President Duterte, in his speech in Hong Kong on Sunday, said he accepts the ICC’s action should it issue an arrest against him.

"Okay lang, tatanggapin ko 'yan. Eh wala tayong magawa eh. Eh hulihin tayo, ikulong tayo. Kaya lang ah... Meantime mag-contribute kayo maski 5 dollars, 10 dollars para paglabas ko sa presohan, pagawa niyo ako monumento katabi ni (Jose) Rizal. Si Rizal may hawak na libro eh. Akin (cradles face)," he told the crowd.

(That is okay. I will accept that. There's nothing we can do. They can arrest me and put me in jail. But ah... Meantime, you contribute even 5 dollars, 10 dollars so when I get released from prison, you can build me a monument beside Rizal. Rizal was holding a book. I just have me.)

The ICC has been investigating Duterte and other top officials of his administration for crimes against humanity over the alleged systematic drug war deaths in police operations.

These deaths reached around 6,000 based on police records, but human rights groups contend that the deaths were as much as 30,000, including vigilante killings.

Caritas Philippines Vice President and San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said,“These killings were not random; they were part of a policy that violated the fundamental right to life.”

“The families of the victims deserve truth, reparations, and justice. As a nation, we must ensure that such crimes never happen again,” he added.

Caritas Philippines also called on Duterte’s supporters and political allies to “set aside personal loyalty and choose to stand with the rule of law.”

“This moment calls for leaders to prioritize justice and the common good over partisan interests. Justice cannot be selective; it must apply to all, regardless of power or position,” Caritas Philippines said.

It also urged the Marcos administration to cooperate with the ICC and allow an impartial investigation.

"If the government has nothing to hide, it has nothing to fear," Caritas Philippines said.

“The rule of law must prevail. Justice must be served. Let this be a turning point for our nation—a step toward healing, accountability, and real change,” it added. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News