Ridon to Duterte: EJK victims’ death not merely due to marital squabble

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has strongly opposed Vice President Sara Duterte’s insinuation that victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during her father’s drug war might have been gunned down due to marital squabbles. In a press briefing on Thursday, Ridon stated that the Vice President's remarks downplay the gravity of the reality faced by EJK victims. Duterte had also commented that it is easy to have someone killed, but Ridon emphasized that such killings involve broader and more complex factors beyond personal disputes. EJKs were widely reported in the Philippines, particularly during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, as part of his war on drugs. Many of these killings occurred during or shortly after police operations, while numerous others were attributed to unidentified assailants, leaving accountability unclear. These incidents have drawn significant criticism from the international community for human rights violations. Ridon expressed concern that the Vice President's statements lack consideration for the victims and their families and could further complicate the pursuit of truth and accountability for these incidents.