Two Inmates Escape from Calubian, Leyte Provincial Jail
CALUBIAN, Leyte, Philippines — Two prisoners escaped from the Provincial Jail in Calubian, Leyte on October 31, 2024. The escapees were identified as Reggie Pepito, a resident of Villaba, and Arnel Halichic, a resident of Calubian.
According to police reports, the two inmates are believed to be hiding with Edgar Dela Rosa, the alleged leader of a gun-for-hire group in the 3rd district of Leyte.
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| The Pictures from the Police Calubian |
Police are investigating a report from another inmate who claimed to have overheard Pepito mentioning the word "justice." The inmate stated that last week, Pepito was overheard saying that it didn't matter what happened, as long as they escaped from prison, "Justice" would take care of them.
Pepito was arrested in May in Calubian while riding a red Toyota Innova. Authorities recovered a large number of high-powered firearms and shabu, allegedly originating from Tinago, Albuera.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the escapees is urged to contact the Calubian Police Station.
This version differs from the previous one by adding a specific date for the incident and incorporating the information about the escapees' alleged hideout and the connection to "Justice." The style is also more formal, using passive voice and avoiding colloquialisms.
Calubian Cops’ Relentless Manhunt for Two Inmates Who Escaped from Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail Results in Surrender
CALUBIAN, LEYTE—The personnel of Calubian Municipal Police Station, under the leadership of PCPT ALEXANDER C ALFONSO, Acting Chief of Police, actively pursued the two Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) who escaped on October 31, 2024, from the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Brgy. Veloso, Calubian, Leyte. They surrendered to the authorities early this morning, November 1, 2024.
The manhunt operation was a joint effort of the Calubian MPS and personnel from the 2nd LPMFC, Philippine Coast Guard, Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail, with active support from community force multipliers.
After receiving information that the escapees were seen in the mangrove forest area of Brgy. Cabalquinto, the composite team immediately searched, encircled the area, and blocked all exits. Realizing they were trapped and could not escape further, the escapees had no choice but to surrender to the authorities.
The escapees were identified as alias "Bal," 44 years old, a resident of Brgy. Cabalquinto, Calubian, Leyte, and alias "Sab," 32 years old, a resident of Brgy. Suba, Villaba, Leyte.
Both individuals are facing charges for illegal drug-related activities and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
PCPT ALFONSO emphasized, "The collective efforts of the police and other units, along with the active support of force multipliers and the community, were key factors in the surrender of the two escapees.”
For inquiries, reports, or police assistance, please feel free to visit our police station located at Brgy. Poblacion, Calubian, Leyte, or contact us through the following:
- Hotline numbers: 09985986409 or 09061173858
- Facebook Account: Calubian Pulis
- Email Address: mpscalubian@gmail.com
Drug War Victims’ Families Celebrate Duterte’s Arrest, Vow to Keep Fighting for Justice
March 12, 2024
Paolo* was just 15 years old when his life was irrevocably shattered. It was 2016, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) had stormed into his home in Caloocan City, a densely populated urban area in Metro Manila. In front of his eyes, they mercilessly gunned down his father, a victim of then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs. Nearly nine years later, Paolo, now 24, finds a glimmer of hope as Duterte, the architect of the campaign that claimed his father’s life and thousands of others, has been arrested and faces charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Finally, naaresto din, [pero] dapat isama si [Senator Ronald dela Rosa], dapat silang panagutin sa dami ng pamilyang inulila nila (Finally, he’s arrested, but Dela Rosa should’ve been with him. They should be held accountable for the countless families they left in mourning),” Paolo said, his voice trembling with a mix of relief and anger. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, was one of the key enforcers of Duterte’s drug war, which human rights groups have condemned as a campaign of extrajudicial killings.
Paolo’s story is just one among thousands. As a minor, he was not only forced to witness his father’s execution but was also accosted and tortured by Caloocan cops. These were the same officers who, less than a year later, would kill 17-year-old Kian delos Santos in a high-profile case that sparked national outrage. Paolo was warned to stay silent or face the same fate as his father. For years, he lived in fear, carrying the trauma of that night while clinging to the hope that justice would one day be served.
That hope was not in vain. On March 11, 2024, Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the ICC. The warrant is tied to crimes against humanity committed during his violent anti-drug campaign, which human rights organizations estimate claimed the lives of between 27,000 to 30,000 people, including those killed in police operations and vigilante-style executions.
The ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s drug war has been a long and arduous process. The court first opened a preliminary examination in 2018, and by 2021, it had launched a full investigation. The Philippine government, under Duterte’s successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., initially resisted cooperating with the ICC, citing national sovereignty. However, mounting international pressure and evidence of widespread human rights violations forced the government’s hand.
The Presidential Communications Office confirmed that the government received an official copy of the arrest warrant from Interpol. Duterte, who had just returned from a trip to Hong Kong, was presented with the ICC notification by the Philippine Prosecutor General upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The former president, now 78, was taken into custody and is currently being held at a detention facility in Manila while awaiting extradition to The Hague.
A Campaign of Terror
Duterte’s war on drugs began shortly after he assumed the presidency in June 2016. He vowed to rid the Philippines of illegal drugs, promising to kill tens of thousands of drug users and dealers. “If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself,” he famously said in a speech, encouraging vigilante justice. His rhetoric emboldened law enforcement and civilian vigilantes, leading to a wave of killings that left entire communities in fear.
The PNP reported that at least 6,252 people were killed in police operations by May 2022. However, human rights groups argue that the actual number is much higher, with estimates ranging from 27,000 to 30,000 deaths. Many of these killings were carried out by unidentified gunmen, often referred to as “riding-in-tandem” assailants, who targeted suspected drug users and dealers in the dead of night.
Families of the victims have long accused the police of fabricating evidence to justify the killings. In many cases, victims were falsely labeled as drug suspects, and their families were left with no recourse for justice. The killings were often accompanied by intimidation and harassment, leaving survivors too afraid to speak out.
A Long Road to Justice
For families like Paolo’s, the arrest of Duterte is a significant milestone, but it is only the beginning of a long fight for accountability. “This is not just about my father. This is about all the families who lost loved ones,” Paolo said. “We will not stop until everyone responsible is held accountable.”
Human rights organizations have echoed this sentiment. “Duterte’s arrest is a crucial step toward justice, but it is not enough,” said Carlos Conde, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The ICC must also investigate and prosecute other officials who played a role in these crimes, including Senator dela Rosa and other high-ranking police officers.”
The ICC’s involvement has been a source of hope for many victims’ families, but it has also faced significant challenges. The Philippine government’s initial refusal to cooperate with the ICC, coupled with Duterte’s popularity among certain segments of the population, has made the pursuit of justice an uphill battle. However, the arrest has galvanized human rights advocates and victims’ families, who are determined to see the process through.
A Nation Divided
Duterte’s arrest has reignited debates about his legacy in the Philippines. To his supporters, he is a strong leader who took decisive action against crime and drugs. To his critics, he is a tyrant who sanctioned mass murder and eroded the rule of law. The polarization is evident in the reactions to his arrest, with some celebrating it as a victory for justice and others decrying it as a politically motivated attack.
“This is a dark day for our country,” said a Duterte supporter who asked not to be named. “President Duterte was just trying to protect us from the scourge of drugs. Now they’re treating him like a criminal.”
But for the families of the victims, there is no room for debate. “My father was not a criminal. He was a hardworking man who loved his family,” Paolo said. “Duterte took him away from us, and now he must answer for what he did.”
As Duterte awaits trial, the families of the victims are determined to keep fighting. They are calling for a thorough investigation into all those involved in the drug war, from high-ranking officials to low-level police officers. They are also demanding reparations for the families of the victims and an end to the culture of impunity that has allowed such atrocities to occur.
“This is not just about Duterte,” said Maria*, whose son was killed in a police operation in 2017. “This is about changing the system so that no one else has to suffer like we did.”
For Paolo, the fight is deeply personal. “I will never forget what happened to my father,” he said. “But now, for the first time, I feel like there is hope. We will keep fighting, not just for him, but for all the others who were taken from us.”
As the world watches the unfolding legal battle, one thing is clear: the families of Duterte’s drug war victims are not backing down. Their fight for justice is far from over, but with Duterte’s arrest, they have taken a crucial step toward holding him accountable for the devastation he unleashed.
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Slow but Sure Road to Justice: Families of Drug War Victims Celebrate Duterte’s Arrest, Vow to Continue Fight
March 13, 2024
For Paolo*, the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, 2024, was a moment he had waited nearly a decade for. At just 15 years old, he witnessed the Philippine National Police (PNP) kill his father during one of the many brutal operations carried out under Duterte’s war on drugs. Now, as Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), Paolo and countless other families are finally seeing a glimmer of hope in their long and painful journey for justice.
But Paolo is not alone in his relief. Across the Philippines, particularly in drug war hot spots like Caloocan City, families of victims are cautiously celebrating what they see as a crucial step toward accountability. For years, they have endured the pain of losing loved ones, the trauma of being silenced, and the frustration of being ignored. Now, with Duterte’s arrest, they feel that their cries for justice are finally being heard.
A Night of Horror
Ana*, a resident of Caloocan City, knows the weight of loss all too well. In 2017, police officers stormed into her home and killed her husband and father-in-law in a single night. Ana, who was five months pregnant at the time, was caught in the crossfire and hit by a stray bullet. Miraculously, she survived, but the emotional scars remain.
“Sa wakas, unti-unti nang nakakamit ang hustisya para sa lahat ng biktima (At last, justice is slowly being achieved for all the victims),” Ana said, her voice trembling with emotion as she recalled the moment she learned of Duterte’s arrest.
Ana is one of many victims supported by the In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND), a human rights organization that has been at the forefront of advocating for justice for drug war victims. For her, Duterte’s arrest is not just about accountability but also about closure.
“Sana din ay aminin niya lahat ng kamalian at humingi siya ng kapatawaran sa lahat ng tao na biktima para matahimik din ang mga kaluluwa ng mga namatay (I hope he also admits to all his wrongdoings and asks for forgiveness from every victim, so that the souls of those who were killed may finally find peace),” she said.
Duterte’s war on drugs, which began in 2016, left a trail of devastation across the Philippines. Official figures from the PNP state that at least 6,252 people were killed in police operations by May 2022. However, human rights groups estimate that the total number of deaths, including those killed by vigilantes, ranges from 27,000 to 30,000. Many of these victims were poor, marginalized individuals who were falsely labeled as drug suspects.
For the families left behind, the drug war was not just a campaign against crime but a systematic assault on their dignity and humanity. They were often intimidated into silence, threatened with violence if they dared to speak out. Now, with Duterte’s arrest, they feel that their suffering is finally being acknowledged.
“The ICC’s move and the government’s action are an acknowledgment of the brutality we endured,” said Celina*, whose husband was shot dead in a drug war operation. “This is a validation of our grief and a sign that accountability is finally within reach.”
But Celina is also wary. She knows that Duterte’s arrest is just the beginning of a long and arduous legal process.
“Ang sabi nga po, mahaba-habang laban ito kaya hindi po sa pag-aresto natatapos ito, bagkus ito ay simula pa lamang ng aming mga laban [at] naniniwala kami at aasa sa kakayahan at suporta na ibinibigay sa amin ng ICC [na] sa huli, mananagot ang dapat managot, maparusahan ang may mga sala,” she said.
(As they say, this is a long battle, so it does not end with the arrest. Rather, this is only the beginning of our fight. We believe in and will rely on the ICC’s capability and support, knowing that in the end, those who must be held accountable will face justice, and the guilty will be punished.)
A Nation Divided
Duterte’s arrest has reignited debates about his legacy in the Philippines. To his supporters, he is a strong leader who took decisive action against crime and drugs. To his critics, he is a tyrant who sanctioned mass murder and eroded the rule of law. The polarization is evident in the reactions to his arrest, with some celebrating it as a victory for justice and others decrying it as a politically motivated attack.
“This is a dark day for our country,” said a Duterte supporter who asked not to be named. “President Duterte was just trying to protect us from the scourge of drugs. Now they’re treating him like a criminal.”
But for the families of the victims, there is no room for debate. “My husband was not a criminal. He was a hardworking man who loved his family,” Celina said. “Duterte took him away from us, and now he must answer for what he did.”
As Duterte awaits trial, the families of the victims are determined to keep fighting. They are calling for a thorough investigation into all those involved in the drug war, from high-ranking officials to low-level police officers. They are also demanding reparations for the families of the victims and an end to the culture of impunity that has allowed such atrocities to occur.
“This is not just about Duterte,” said Maria*, whose son was killed in a police operation in 2017. “This is about changing the system so that no one else has to suffer like we did.”
For Paolo, the fight is deeply personal. “I will never forget what happened to my father,” he said. “But now, for the first time, I feel like there is hope. We will keep fighting, not just for him, but for all the others who were taken from us.”
As the world watches the unfolding legal battle, one thing is clear: the families of Duterte’s drug war victims are not backing down. Their fight for justice is far from over, but with Duterte’s arrest, they have taken a crucial step toward holding him accountable for the devastation he unleashed.
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‘Duterte Should Feel Our Pain’: Families of Drug War Victims Demand Justice as Former President Faces Arrest
March 14, 2024
The arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, 2024, has sent shockwaves across the nation. For the families of the thousands killed under his brutal war on drugs, the moment is bittersweet. While they celebrate the long-awaited step toward justice, the wounds left by the killings remain deep and unhealed. Their losses are irreversible, but they see Duterte’s arrest as a crucial milestone in their fight for accountability—a fight that has forced them to endure years of fear, displacement, and grief.
“Nakakaiyak ako, hindi ko alam ang dapat kong maramdaman na sa ilang taon naming ipinaglalaban ay nakamit din namin ang hustisyang aming minimithi (I’m in tears—I don’t know what to feel. After years of fighting, we have finally achieved the justice we have long been yearning for),” said Betty, whose 44-year-old son and 22-year-old grandson were killed in separate drug war operations.
For Betty and countless others, the arrest is a stark contrast to the reality they have lived since losing their loved ones. Many families were forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their communities and livelihoods, to escape threats from the very police officers who pulled the trigger. They have lived in constant fear, silenced by the terror of a system that seemed untouchable. Now, with Duterte facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), they feel that their voices are finally being heard.
A Glaring Disparity
Jane Lee, a widow and mother of three, sees Duterte’s arrest as a reminder of the glaring disparity between the powerful and the powerless. Her husband, Michael, was gunned down by unidentified men in May 2017, leaving her to raise their children alone.
“Mabuti pa siya, inaresto ng mga kapulisan. Ang aming mga kaanak, pinatay agad,” she said. “Napakalaki ng pagkakaiba sa pagitan ng makapangyarihan at ordinaryong taong tulad namin.” (At least he was arrested by the police. Our loved ones were killed on the spot. The difference between the powerful and ordinary people like us is enormous.)
Since her husband’s death, Jane has volunteered with Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a group composed mostly of widows and mothers who have banded together to demand justice for drug war victims. For them, Duterte’s arrest is not just about accountability but also about ensuring that no other family has to endure the pain they have suffered.
A Collective Cry for Justice
In Cebu, families affiliated with Rise Up voiced their collective rage against Duterte, who they say ordered killings from the presidential pulpit for six years. They hope that Duterte will feel the same pain they felt when their loved ones were forcibly taken from them.
“Katiting lang iyan sa ginawa mo sa amin na sinira mo ang aming buhay at hanapbuhay dahil sa iyong pekeng war on drugs,” the families said in a statement. “Wala kang karapatan na kumuha ng buhay ng iba [kasi] Diyos lang may karapatan kaya sa ginawa mo, maniningil ang taumbayan lalo na kaming mga pamilya ng mga naging biktima.” (That is nothing compared to what you did to us. You destroyed our lives and livelihood because of your fake war on drugs. You have no right to take another person’s life; only God has that right. Because of what you have done, the people will demand justice, especially we, the families of the victims.)
The families’ anger is compounded by the fact that Duterte and his allies have dismissed the ICC’s actions as a violation of due process. On Tuesday afternoon, Duterte condemned his arrest, calling it unlawful. His longtime aide, Senator Bong Go, attempted to visit him at Villamor Air Base, even asking guards to let him deliver pizza to the former president.
For the families of the victims, such actions only underscore the impunity that has defined Duterte’s rule. “He has no right to complain about due process when he denied it to thousands of Filipinos,” said Mila*, whose 17-year-old nephew was killed by police in Quezon City in 2018. “Sana huwag na siya lumaya (I hope he is never set free).”
While Duterte’s arrest marks a significant step forward, the road to justice remains long and uncertain. It is still unclear whether Duterte will be immediately transferred to the ICC headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, or if legal battles will delay the process. The Philippine government, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has been reluctant to cooperate fully with the ICC, citing concerns over national sovereignty.
However, human rights groups and victims’ families are determined to see the process through. They are calling for a thorough investigation into all those involved in the drug war, from high-ranking officials to low-level police officers. They are also demanding reparations for the families of the victims and an end to the culture of impunity that has allowed such atrocities to occur.
“This is not just about Duterte,” said Maria*, whose son was killed in a police operation in 2017. “This is about changing the system so that no one else has to suffer like we did.”
For the families of the victims, Duterte’s arrest is a moment of reckoning—a chance to hold accountable the man who unleashed death and destruction upon their lives. It is also a moment of reflection, as they remember the loved ones they lost and the lives they were forced to rebuild in the aftermath of the drug war.
“We will never forget what happened to our families,” said Betty. “But now, for the first time, we feel that justice is possible. We will keep fighting, not just for our loved ones, but for all the others who were taken from us.”
As the world watches the unfolding legal battle, one thing is clear: the families of Duterte’s drug war victims are not backing down. Their fight for justice is far from over, but with Duterte’s arrest, they have taken a crucial step toward holding him accountable for the devastation he unleashed.