Amid mounting evidence related to cases of killings and crimes former President Rodrigo Duterte committed, various groups in Quezon City came together on November 25 to form the Duterte Panagutin Campaign Network. The network includes national-democratic groups, human rights defenders, lawyers, church people, and victims of human rights violations under the former regime.

“We stand united in our unwavering commitment to seek truth, justice, and accountability together with the victims of human rights violations which were carried out under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte,” the network’s joint declaration stated. The Duterte regime’s most significant crime is the killing of at least 30,000 people under a sham war on drugs.

According to the group, the regime disregarded basic human rights and justice and deepened the culture of impunity. “We thus stand with them in their demand for justice. Their grief is our grief; their struggle, our struggle,” the statement read.

The network pledged to work to ensure the prosecution of those involved in these heinous crimes, particularly Duterte himself. In this regard, they called on the Marcos regime to take the necessary steps to ensure accountability of the perpetrators.

They also urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international bodies to pursue and expedite their investigations into the extrajudicial killings by Duterte and his cohorts. “We demand that the perpetrators face prosecution for their crimes against humanity and violations of international law,” it said.

The figures spearheading the network include Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) president Teddy Casiño. He said that not holding Duterte accountable will unleash others like him, particularly his similarly tyrant daughter, to commit similar heinous crimes.

Former Senator Leila de Lima, a victim of Duterte’s repression, is also a leading figure in the network. “This is a significant step in our fight for accountability for the wrongs of the past. Duterte has committed numerous crimes against the people,” she said.

The network also includes several officials and leaders from the Movement Against Tyranny, Karapatan, Rise Up for Life and for Rights, Hustisya, Artikulo Tres Human Rights Alliance, academic groups, and church associations. They called on fellow Filipinos to join their fight for justice and accountability. Their rallying call: Hold Duterte accountable!