Dennis Gaviola

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Joselito Malig

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17419753433561741975391007.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Families holding portraits of victims of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s drug war, watch a live stream of Duterte&#x27;s first appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) since his arrest on March 11, during a live viewing at a church building in Manila on March 14, 2025. Ted Aljibe, AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Families holding portraits of victims of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s drug war, watch a live stream of Duterte&#x27;s first appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) since his arrest on March 11, during a live viewing at a church building in Manila on March 14, 2025. <em>Ted Aljibe, AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>As former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte stated his name for the International Criminal Court on Friday, a murmur of disdain crept through a cramped room in a Manila church.</p><p>Eight women sat watching a video stream of the proceedings, some clutching photos of a husband or son lost to the brutal drug crackdown that was the signature policy of Duterte&#x27;s presidency.</p><p>The 79-year-old, who was allowed to appear remotely, stands accused of crimes against humanity for the years-long campaign, which rights groups say killed thousands of mostly poor men.</p><p>The widows and mothers who gathered thousands of miles away were told beforehand their former president would be required to say little beyond his name.</p><p>But Duterte&#x27;s name was enough to &quot;cause us fear and disdain&quot;, said Normita Lopez, 60, who could later be heard weeping in the audience.</p><p>Philippine police shot her son five times for &quot;fighting back&quot;, a phrase used to justify the killings of alleged drug suspects.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/14/rodrigo-duterte-makes-first-icc-appearance-2153" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rodrigo Duterte makes first ICC appearance</a></div><p>The decision to let Duterte appear via video link from his detention centre after his long flight from Manila drew derision from some in the small audience.</p><p>&quot;He doesn&#x27;t look tired to me,&quot; one woman shouted at the screen.</p><p>Boos and jeers accompanied lawyer Salvador Medialdea&#x27;s claim his client&#x27;s transfer to The Hague was a &quot;simple kidnapping&quot;.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/14/-pure-and-simple-kidnapping-medialdea-tells-icc-on-duterte-s-arrest-2358" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#x27;Pure and simple kidnapping,&#x27; Medialdea tells ICC on Duterte&#x27;s arrest</a></div><p>Sheerah Escudero, whose brother Ephraim was abducted and later found dead during the crackdown, said the fact Duterte was receiving a trial only underscored the injustice.</p><p>&quot;Us, my brother, did we ever get to experience that human right?&quot; she asked following the screening.</p><p>Jane Lee, whose husband was killed in the drug war, said she was barely able to contain her rage at the sight of the former president&#x27;s face.</p><p>&quot;When I saw him, I was so angry I could barely control myself,&quot; the 42-year-old said, recalling how she had once watched him laugh at the mention of victims during a Senate hearing.</p><p>As the stream of the ICC session came to an end, a loud sigh erupted as the judge explained the next hearing would not be held for six months.</p><p>But Lee told attendees the group would use that window to continue their fight.</p><p>&quot;We hope that he won&#x27;t come back to the Philippines, so that somehow we can have a taste of peace,&quot; she said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xPb4FMfGbos??si=AjPE0V-vOQD332Ftautoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>As former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte stated his name for the International Criminal Court on Friday, a murmur of disdain crept through a cramped room in a Manila church.</p>

As former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte stated his name for the International Criminal Court on Friday, a murmur of disdain crept through a cramped room in a Manila church.

Tears, disdain as drug war families watch Duterte at ICC

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Tears, disdain as drug war families watch Duterte at ICC

Jojo Pasion Malig,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 15, 2025 02:03 AM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

drug war

EJK

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