EJK victims’ families, advocates call for Duterte’s conviction at ICC

By Nash Villena, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
March 11, 2026

(Photo courtesy: Anakbayan/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — Families of drug war victims, rights groups, and advocates on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and detention before the International Criminal Court (ICC) with a collective call for his conviction on his crimes against humanity case.

Duterte Panagutin Campaign Network (DPCN) reaffirmed in a statement that the arrest and detention of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte at the ICC remains a “historic moment for justice and accountability” after his years of atrocities against the Filipino population.

The group’s resolve remains positive that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I will confirm the crimes against humanity charges against Duterte soon enough.

Duterte’s case was heard in court for four days in late February, with the ruling of the three pre-trial judges to be decided within 60 days, or until April 28, 2026.

“The arrest of Duterte remind us that fascism has no place in a democratic society and accountability must reach the highest levels of government,” DPCN said.

“The arc of the moral universe may be long, but it bends towards justice. We are on the side of truth, and we are certain that in the end, victory is ours,” it stressed.

FIRST STEP TOWARD JUSTICE

(Photo courtesy: Anakbayan/Facebook)

In a protest along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, rights group KARAPATAN and other progressive groups amplified a similar call, demanding Duterte’s confirmation of charges as made apparent by evidence pointing to him as the most responsible for the mass extrajudicial killings of over a thousand Filipinos.

Anakbayan said that genuine justice can only be achieved when Duterte is convicted for his crimes against humanity charges, and all personalities involved in implementing the drug war are held accountable.

“Ang pag-aresto ay unang hakbang lamang dahil ang tunay na hustisya ay makakamit lamang kapag nahatulan at napanagot ang lahat ng may sala, mula sa baba hanggang sa tuktok ng rehimeng US-Duterte,” Anakbayan said.

(The arrest is only the first step because genuine justice can only be achieved if everyone complicit is convicted and held accountable, from the bottom to the top of the US-Duterte regime.)

DEMAND FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) described the past year as a “first breath of air” after years of state-sponsored suffocation.

While the group demands justice for those killed without due process during Duterte’s mayoral and presidential terms, it noted that it is seeking restorative justice that will benefit their loved ones and foster a genuine change in the system.

“We advocate for a restorative justice that prioritizes the uncovering of the absolute truth, the provision of full reparations to the survivors, and the institutionalization of reforms that ensure a future of ‘Never Again’,” PAHRA said.

“This is the essential first step toward dismantling the Dutertismo culture of violence and impunity, replacing it with a justice that heals the nation rather than simply penalizing the individual.”