Never-ending struggle for human rights

The most ironic objection by the pro-Duterte groups regarding the incarceration of the former president is that this is a violation of his human rights.

- ELFREN S. CRUZ

I call this "ironic" because Duterte has issued many statements in the past regarding his low regard for the concept of human rights. For example, on Feb. 7, 2018, he publicly said, "I don't care about human rights, believe me."

In another quote attributed to him, he publicly said, "I told the military and the police that during encounters, if the enemy is holding a gun, kill them. Kill them right away. Ignore human rights. That is my order. I'll be the one to go to jail. No problem."

I welcome all this public discussion that is centered on human rights. For once, people on both sides of the political spectrum are at least realizing that human rights is critical to them and for their own protection.

I remember when President Noynoy Aquino decided to let the Philippines join the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2011. One of the leaders of the effort to join the ICC was Atty. Harry Roque. At that time, he wrote: "As I ponder on the future of the Philippines as the latest member of the ICC, I look back to the 11 long years that took the Philippine coalition for the ICC to finally convince the Philippines to be a member of the Court with melancholy and pride. Surely, although we cannot afford to sit long on our laurels as the path ahead remains long and winding. Be as it may, the message has been sent: no more impunity."