No Celebration for a Tyrant: Migrante Canada Condemns Duterte’s Legacy of Violence on His Birthday
- migrantecanada
- Mar 28
- 2 min read
March 28, 2025
VANCOUVER, BC – As former President Rodrigo Duterte’s birthday approaches on March 28, overseas Filipinos across Canada stand in firm rejection of any celebration of a man whose rule was marked by bloodshed, impunity, and widespread human rights violations. Migrante Canada, alongside the families of victims of Duterte’s brutal war on drugs and other state-sponsored atrocities, calls for justice and accountability instead of celebration.
“Duterte’s birthday should not be a cause for celebration. How many families mourn instead of celebrating because their loved ones were killed under his orders? How many victims of his war on drugs, activists, and ordinary people will never see another birthday because of his reign of terror?” said Danilo De Leon, Chairperson of Migrante Canada.
Under Duterte’s leadership, at least 30,000 people were killed in his so-called war on drugs, according to the human rights group KARAPATAN. These extrajudicial killings overwhelmingly targeted the poor, leaving families without justice while the masterminds behind the bloodshed remain free. The violence was not confined to the drug war; Duterte’s administration also intensified attacks on activists, labor organizers, writers, and critics, using red-tagging, unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances, and assassinations to silence opposition.
“Duterte’s legacy is one of terror and oppression. While the families of his victims continue to grieve, he enjoys impunity. We refuse to allow his crimes to be forgotten,” said Chris Sorio, Secretary General of Migrante Canada. “As migrants, as workers, and as Filipinos in Canada, we stand with the call for justice. We demand that Duterte be held accountable for his crimes against the people.”
Migrante Canada demands an immediate and swift guilty verdict for Duterte and urges Filipinos worldwide to use this day not to honour him, but to strengthen the fight for justice, demand accountability, and ensure that impunity ends.
The recent developments at the International Criminal Court (ICC) mark a significant step toward justice. Duterte has been arrested and is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands, facing trial for crimes against humanity. His arrest is a victory for the thousands of victims of his brutal regime and a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by human rights defenders, victims, families and witnesses worldwide.
However, the fight is far from over. Migrante Canada calls on Filipinos and the international community to remain vigilant and ensure that Duterte is held fully accountable for his atrocities.
Migrante Canada reiterates its commitment to the fight for human rights and justice for all victims of state-sponsored violence.
Migrante Canada calls on the international community to stand with the Filipino people in their struggle to bring Duterte and his accomplices to justice.
“There can be no celebration for a tyrant—only the continued struggle to hold him accountable,” added De Leon.
For media inquiries, contact:
Danilo De Leon, Chairperson, Migrante Canada
Chris Sorio, Secretary General, Migrante Canada
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