JAPANESE human rights advocate Shunichi Fujiki labeled the ongoing legal proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte as a “gross injustice.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with SMNI, Fujiki—a figure known for his decade-long work assisting overseas Filipinos and victims of domestic violence in Japan—expressed his deep-seated concern over the treatment of the 80-year-old former president.
“I cannot take this injustice… we need to do something,” Fujiki said, pointing to Duterte’s advanced age and the overwhelming domestic support the former leader still commands.
A witness to the Filipino sentiment
Fujiki, whose advocacy spans over ten years of helping Filipinos navigate legal and personal crises abroad, noted that his stance is informed by his interactions with the Filipino community.
He argued that the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) pursuit of Duterte contradicts the sentiment of the majority in the Philippines.
“President Duterte is really admired by the Filipino, majority of the Filipino people,” Fujiki remarked.
He suggested that his experience listening to the grievances of victims across the globe has given him a unique perspective on what constitutes true justice versus political targeting.
Growing international discourse
The advocate’s statements add a new layer to the widening international debate surrounding the ICC investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
While human rights groups globally have called for accountability, voices like Fujiki’s highlight a counter-narrative of sovereignty and popular mandate.
Fujiki emphasized that his decision to speak out was driven by a moral obligation to protect a leader whom he believes has been unfairly vilified by international bodies.
The Japanese advocate’s intervention comes at a critical time, as Duterte’s legal team continues to challenge the ICC’s jurisdiction, and as supporters prepare for the former President’s 81st birthday on March 28—a date many expect to become a massive demonstration of local and international solidarity.
