Marilyn Cahatol

Families of drug war victims expressed relief and hope for justice following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte during a press conference at the UCCP Chapel in Quezon City on March 12, 2025. The group called for accountability, legal action, and reparations for the victims, urging the government to ensure due process and prevent political interference in the case. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DUTERTE ARREST

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:604px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176024810028820250312-duterte-ikulong-ejk-widows-MT06.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Families of drug war victims expressed relief and hope for justice following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte during a press conference at the UCCP Chapel in Quezon City on March 12, 2025. The group called for accountability, legal action, and reparations for the victims, urging the government to ensure due process and prevent political interference in the case. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The camp of extrajudicial (EJK) victims’ kin hopes that the interim release bid of former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court would be ultimately junked.</p><p>Defense lead counsel Atty. Nicholas Kaufman on October 10 called the rejection “erroneous,&quot; noting that they had already filed an appeal “a week ago.&quot;</p><p>Atty. Gilbert Andres, one of the legal counsels of the victims’ families, said they are ready to submit their views on the reported appeal.</p><p>“Syempre hihingi ng answer/reply ‘yung Pre-Trial Chamber dun sa Office of the Prosecutor as well as mga victims so nakahanda po kami magbigay po ng views and concerns ng mga victims,” he told DZMM Sunday, October 12.</p><p>(Of course, the Pre-Trial Chamber will ask the Office of the Prosecutor as well as the victims, so we are ready to present their views and concerns)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/11/ejk-victims-kin-welcome-icc-ruling-rejecting-duterte-interim-release-1907">EJK victims’ kin welcome ICC ruling rejecting Duterte interim release</a></div><p>He then pointed out that the Duterte patriarch remains influential in the Philippines despite having no position.</p><p>“In fact, ginawaran pa nga ng award si Mr. Duterte ng no less than the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. ‘Yung Senate Resolution No.114 really shows na he is very influential,” the lawyer stated, pertaining to the resolution approved by the Senate urging the ICC to grant the former president house arrest for humanitarian considerations.</p><p>(In fact, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines gave him an award, and Senate Reoslution No. 114 really shows he is very influential)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/icc-rejects-duterte-s-interim-release-plea-1714"><strong>ICC rejects Duterte’s interim release bid</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>’JUST AND FAIR’</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Andres also thumbed down the statement of Duterte’s son, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, who called the decision a “gross and disgraceful miscarriage of justice” and a piece of “political theater.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/13/rep-paolo-is-third-duterte-scion-to-seek-dad-s-release-from-icc-detention-1236">Paolo Duterte seeks Supreme Court order to stop PH cooperation with ICC</a></div><p>“I totally and strongly disagree with that statement. Why? Because it&#x27;s just and fair kasi may grounds naman dun sa ICC Rome Statute nasa Article 58,” Andres, who is also an ICC-accredited lawyer, argued.</p><p>(It&#x27;s just and fair because there are grounds under Article 58 of the Rome Statue)</p><p>Article 58 refers to the issuance of summonses and arrest warrants and authorizes the Pre-Trial Chamber to issue warrants if &quot;there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court&quot; and if necessary to sneure attendance at trial and prevent obstruction of proceedings.</p><p>Andres said that it would be unlikely for Duterte to return to the ICC if released.</p><p>“May mga statements kasi ang Duterte family na questioning the jurisdiction of the ICC. Kaya siguro kailangang maging maingat tayo sa mga statements na niri-release natin,” he added.</p><p>(The Duterte family has statements questioning the jurisdiction of the ICC. That is why I think we should be careful about statements that we issue)</p><p>Andres also emphasized the rights of the victims to attain justice, saying they have a right to justice under international law.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/victims-lawyers-welcome-icc-decision-rejecting-duterte-s-interim-release-bid-1907">Victims’ lawyers welcome ICC decision rejecting Duterte’s interim release bid</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y7zt7FiGIE0?si=n5WjJXonHtBfWdFr" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The camp of extrajudicial (EJK) victims’ kin hopes that the interim release bid of former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court would be ultimately junked.</p>

The camp of extrajudicial (EJK) victims’ kin hopes that the interim release bid of former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court would be ultimately junked.

EJK victims’ kin ready to respond to Duterte appeal on denied interim release — lawyer

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EJK victims’ kin ready to respond to Duterte appeal on denied interim release — lawyer

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 12, 2025 02:13 PM PHT

Read More:

Gilbert Andres

ICC

Rodrigo Duterte

drug war

Paolo Duterte

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