The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) extends no warm greetings to Rodrigo Duterte on his 80th birthday. Instead, we reaffirm our call for justice and accountability for the countless human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, and anti-farmer policies implemented under his regime. On his 80th birthday, we wish Duterte a long life — long enough to face his victims before the ICC, understand the due process he denied to so many, and see justice served to its full extent.

Today is Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday — but there is nothing to celebrate. We remember the thousands killed during his reign of terror who will never be able to celebrate their birthdays. We remember the hundreds of political prisoners jailed under his regime, like Amanda Echanis and Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who continue to mark their birthdays in prison cells. We remember the families of the disappeared who still wait for the return of their loved ones.

There will be no birthday candles at today’s protest in Liwasang Bonifacio, only candles for the dead, placed on a black coffin as a symbol of mourning and the unyielding demand for justice. There will be no tribute songs for Duterte, only contempt and the collective call for accountability and justice.

Duterte is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Centre in Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands, after his arrest on March 11, in connection with charges of crimes against humanity. His detention marks a crucial step toward justice for the thousands of victims of his brutal “war on drugs” and state-sponsored violence, including peasant killings and massacres.

Duterte’s crimes extend far beyond human rights violations. He inflicted severe damage on Filipino farmers through anti-peasant policies like the Rice Liberalization Law (Republic Act 11203), which devastated local rice production, plunged farmers into deeper poverty, and increased reliance on imported rice. The flooding of imported rice in local markets pushed palay farmgate prices to rock-bottom levels, forcing many farmers to abandon their livelihoods and increasing rural poverty.

Duterte’s regime also oversaw the militarization of rural communities, land grabbing, and intensified red-tagging and persecution of peasant leaders and activists. His legacy is one of betrayal and suffering for the Filipino peasant masses.

We join the Filipino people and the international community in demanding full accountability for Duterte’s crimes. His 80th birthday should serve as a reminder that justice remains elusive – but it will not be denied forever. ###

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) extends no warm greetings to Rodrigo Duterte on his 80th birthday. Instead, we reaffirm our call for justice and accountability for the countless human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, and anti-farmer policies implemented under his regime. On his 80th birthday, we wish Duterte a long life — long enough to face his victims before the ICC, understand the due process he denied to so many, and see justice served to its full extent.

Today is Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday — but there is nothing to celebrate. We remember the thousands killed during his reign of terror who will never be able to celebrate their birthdays. We remember the hundreds of political prisoners jailed under his regime, like Amanda Echanis and Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who continue to mark their birthdays in prison cells. We remember the families of the disappeared who still wait for the return of their loved ones.

There will be no birthday candles at today’s protest in Liwasang Bonifacio, only candles for the dead, placed on a black coffin as a symbol of mourning and the unyielding demand for justice. There will be no tribute songs for Duterte, only contempt and the collective call for accountability and justice.

Duterte is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Centre in Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands, after his arrest on March 11, in connection with charges of crimes against humanity. His detention marks a crucial step toward justice for the thousands of victims of his brutal “war on drugs” and state-sponsored violence, including peasant killings and massacres.

Duterte’s crimes extend far beyond human rights violations. He inflicted severe damage on Filipino farmers through anti-peasant policies like the Rice Liberalization Law (Republic Act 11203), which devastated local rice production, plunged farmers into deeper poverty, and increased reliance on imported rice. The flooding of imported rice in local markets pushed palay farmgate prices to rock-bottom levels, forcing many farmers to abandon their livelihoods and increasing rural poverty.

Duterte’s regime also oversaw the militarization of rural communities, land grabbing, and intensified red-tagging and persecution of peasant leaders and activists. His legacy is one of betrayal and suffering for the Filipino peasant masses.

We join the Filipino people and the international community in demanding full accountability for Duterte’s crimes. His 80th birthday should serve as a reminder that justice remains elusive – but it will not be denied forever. ###