Updated: 4:25 pm March 11, 2025
Silingan Coffee, a coffee shop in the Philippine capital region run by families of victims of the government’s war on drugs, slashed all drink prices by 50% following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte was arrested Tuesday in Manila following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for “crimes against humanity” linked to his deadly war on drugs.
The coffee shop said the promo is valid only from 1 p.m. to until closing on March 11 at all Silingan Coffee branches and stalls as a show of solidarity, which the shop calls “the first step to accountability.”
Redemptorist Brother Ciriaco Santiago, co-founder of Silingan Coffee, said the shop was established not for business but to honor the lives of those who suffered under Duterte’s war on drugs.
“Silingan Coffee is not just a livelihood project for the families of victims of extrajudicial killings under the war on drugs. It is a space where we share the life stories of those who were killed, ensuring that the atrocities of the Duterte regime are never forgotten,” the missionary brother said.
Brother Santiago said the coffee shop is a place where the call for accountability and justice “is spoken every moment of every day,” adding, “The shop is a space where the voices of the poor and the victims are heard.”
The missionary brother said the 50% discount promo “could be extended in the coming days,” adding that the quality of service and drinks will remain unchanged—“just like our resolve to attain justice for the victims of Duterte’s bloody war against the poor.”
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According to the ICC, the 79-year-old former Philippine president faces charges for “the crime against humanity of murder” in connection with a crackdown that rights groups estimate led to the deaths of tens of thousands of mostly poor individuals.
These victims, often accused of drug involvement, were allegedly killed by police officers and vigilantes without due process.
“Early in the morning, Interpol Manila received the official copy of the warrant of arrest from the ICC,” the presidential palace announced in a statement.
“As of now, he is under the custody of authorities.” The statement further assured that “the former president and his group are in good health and are being checked by government doctors.”
Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), has called on Duterte to fulfill his commitment to the rule of law and face accountability for the thousands of deaths linked to his war on drugs.
“For years, former President Duterte has claimed that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions. Now is the time for him to prove it,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines.
“True justice is not about political allegiance or personal loyalty—it is about accountability, transparency, and the protection of human dignity. We urge Duterte to uphold his own words and submit himself to the legal process,” the prelate added.
Caritas Philippines has consistently pushed for justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings committed during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
The organization highlighted recent testimonies indicating that police officers allegedly received financial incentives for carrying out killings, reinforcing claims that these acts were state-sanctioned.
“These killings were not random; they were part of a policy that violated the fundamental right to life,” stressed Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, vice president of Caritas Philippines.
“The families of the victims deserve truth, reparations, and justice. As a nation, we must ensure that such crimes never happen again,” he added.
Caritas Philippines also called on Duterte’s political allies, particularly members of his party, to prioritize the rule of law over personal loyalty. The organization stressed that justice must apply equally to all, regardless of power or position.
Caritas Philippines urged the Marcos administration to cooperate with the ICC and facilitate an impartial investigation, arguing that accountability is essential in preventing a culture of impunity.
“If the government has nothing to hide, it has nothing to fear,” the statement read. “The rule of law must prevail. Justice must be served. Let this be a turning point for our nation—a step toward healing, accountability, and real change.”
