Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760180407507ejk2.jfif" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Jennelyn Olaires hugs the dead body of her partner Michael Siaron, a pedicab driver and alleged drug pusher, at LRT EDSA Rotonda in Pasay City, Metro Manila, on July 23, 2016. The victim was killed by unidentified gunmen. Basilio Sepe, ABS-CBN News/file</div><div> </div>MANILA – Families of victims of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) and human rights groups welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber to deny the plea for interim release filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team.The ICC said Duterte’s continued detention is necessary to ensure his appearance in court and to uphold the integrity and fairness of proceedings in the case involving alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s war on drugs.For many victims’ families, the ruling is a long-awaited sign that justice may finally be within reach.“Kami po ay masaya,” said Leory Pasco, whose child was killed during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.“Nananawagan po kami sa ICC na talagang ‘wag ‘wag po silang magpatumpik-tumpik at talagang tingnan po nilang mabuti, pag-aralan po nilang mabuti na kailangan talaga ni Duterte na ituloy ang confirmation of charges.”Emily Soriano, mother of a drug war victim, shared similar sentiments:.“Natuwa po kami sa nabalitaan po namin na gano’n nga po na hindi po siya pinayagan. Ginusto mo ‘yan. Pangatawanan mo ‘yang nangyari na ginawa mong mga pagpatay,” she said.According to Jane Lee, spokesperson of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, the ruling offers renewed hope.“Naramdaman po namin na sa ganung pagkakataon, nasa panig pa po pala namin ang hustisya. Kahit po hindi ganun kabilis,&quot; Lee said.The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) expressed solidarity with the families and urged the international community to condemn ongoing harassment against those demanding justice.“We must continue to stand behind them, provide any support possible, and demand justice for the thousands of victims of Duterte’s war on the poor and dissent,” the group said in a statement.“ICHRP, as a human rights organization, calls on the international community to continue to stand in solidarity with the victims by condemning the ongoing harassment faced by their surviving families… We must not allow this re-victimization.”Atty. Gilbert Andres, an ICC-accredited lawyer, rejected claims that Duterte is unfit to face trial.“Para sa mga biktima, talagang fit na fit si Mr. Duterte to stand trial. Kinakausap pa nga siya ni VP Sara ‘di ba? Mga previous statements ‘okay naman siya, nag-usap sa love life, politika, at flood control,” Andres said.Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan urged the ICC to expand the charges against Duterte.“Hinihiling na po namin na i-expand ang charges, ‘no, to other inhumane acts and other crimes. Kasi sa totoo lang, pagpatay at mga attempted murders, serious illegal detention,” said Tinay Palabay, Secretary-General of Karapatan.“All of these are consequences and should be considered as crimes against humanity that were committed by Duterte and his cohorts.”<div>&#x27;WE WILL APPEAL&#x27;</div>Duterte’s defense lawyer Nicolas Kaufman said they will appeal the ICC’s decision.Rep. Paolo Duterte, the former president’s son and Davao City 1st District representative, lashed out on social media, calling the court’s decision unjust.“This decision is a gross and disgraceful miscarriage of justice. It is not law, it is a political theater,” he claimed. “He is definitely not a flight risk, he does not need it.”He also warned those he accused of &quot;orchestrating&quot; what he claimed as his father’s “kidnapping&quot;.“To all kidnappers of my father I will make sure that you will pay for this crime that you have committed. To the CIA who connived in this criminal act, my father’s kidnapping will not silence him,” he said.Vice President Sara Duterte has declined to comment on the issue, stating her focus is currently on supporting communities affected by a recent earthquake.The next legal development hinges on the defense’s petition challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction and a request for the “indefinite adjournment of proceedings.”However, Atty. Kristina Conti, ICC Assistant to Counsel, believes this is just another stalling tactic.“Kung matuloy man ang hearing at medyo may problema o issue sa kalagayan niya, sabi ng korte, pwede rin naman po tayong gumawa ng kondisyones para maka-attend siya ng hearing nang mas maalwan sa pakiramdam,” she said.“Mahigpit ang paniniwala namin na matutuloy at matutuloy itong hearing na ito,” Conti added.Families of drug war victims remain hopeful that the confirmation of charges hearing will proceed before the year ends.Duterte was arrested on March 11  on his arrival from Hong Kong at the request of the ICC as part of its probe into his &quot;war on drugs&quot; that defined his presidency.The ICC warrant for Duterte&#x27;s arrest said that as president, Duterte allegedly created, funded, and armed death squads that carried out murders of purported drug users and dealers.He was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands on the same day he was arrested.Duterte on March 14 appeared via video link before ICC judges. Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, which was supposed to be held last September 23, was postponed to a later date, citing a request from Duterte&#x27;s defense team.<div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qXBleBgGKkA??si=T8ugffvJKF_4-Cpa&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Families of victims of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) and human rights groups welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber to deny the plea for interim release filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team.

Families of victims of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) and human rights groups welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber to deny the plea for interim release filed by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team.

EJK victims’ kin welcome ICC ruling rejecting Duterte interim release

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EJK victims’ kin welcome ICC ruling rejecting Duterte interim release

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 11, 2025 07:07 PM PHT

|

Updated October 11, 2025 07:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

EJK

drug war

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