MANILA, Philippines–Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte turned 80 on Friday, with celebrations led by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who marked the occasion by blowing out candles in front of supporters.
Simultaneously, in The Hague, Netherlands, the sister of two victims of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines mourned their loss by offering prayers and lighting candles for her brothers, who were killed amid the country’s controversial war on drugs.
The victims’ sister expressed her sorrow over the missed birthdays and the absence of her brothers, attributing their untimely deaths to the brutal anti-drug campaign.
The Duterte administration’s war on drugs has faced widespread criticism for alleged human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings.
International human rights organizations have called for accountability and justice for the victims of the drug war in the Philippines.
The International Criminal Court has launched an investigation into potential crimes against humanity in connection with the Philippine drug war.
The Duterte administration has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has defended the campaign as necessary to combat illegal drugs.
