Camille Naredo

Families of victims of extrajudicial killings during former President Duterte’s drug war expressed their willingness to appear before the ICC if needed during a press briefing in Quezon City on February 17, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Families of victims of extrajudicial killings during former President Duterte’s drug war expressed their willingness to appear before the ICC if needed during a press briefing in Quezon City on February 17, 2026. The delegation reacted to recent developments at the International Criminal Court, as the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber prepares for the "Confirmation of Charges" hearing scheduled for February 23, 2026. The families were joined by former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, Duterte Panagutin convenor Atty. Jojo Lacanilao, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, victims' lawyer Kristina Conti, and human rights advocates. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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EJK- ICC

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177194613829420260217-duterte-icc-ejk-families-JC3651.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Families of victims of extrajudicial killings during former President Duterte’s drug war expressed their willingness to appear before the ICC if needed during a press briefing in Quezon City on February 17, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Families of victims of extrajudicial killings during former President Duterte’s drug war expressed their willingness to appear before the ICC if needed during a press briefing in Quezon City on February 17, 2026. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The principal counsel for the victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s bloody war on drugs on Tuesday called on the International Criminal Court to confirm the charges against him, stressing that it is a step towards justice and healing. </p><p>Paolina Massidda, speaking at The Hague during the second day of the confirmation of charges hearing against the former Philippine president, asserted that the evidence submitted by the prosecution has met the standard. </p><p>The 80-year-old Duterte is facing three ICC counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018.</p><p>The on-going proceedings are not a trial but a &quot;confirmation of charges&quot; hearing, enabling judges to weigh whether to move ahead with a trial.</p><p>&quot;For the purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing, the prosecution must demonstrate substantial grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte committed each of the crimes charged,&quot; Massidda said.</p><p>&quot;The victims submit that the evidence presented by the prosecution meets this … standard,&quot; she added. &quot;The confirmation of all charges is not only legally warranted -- it is essential to the integrity of international criminal justice.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/duterte-drew-up-death-lists-boasted-about-murders-icc-prosecutor-1942">READ: Duterte drew up &#x27;death lists&#x27;, boasted about murders --  ICC prosecutor</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/icc-prosecution-victims-counsels-submit-merits-on-day-2-of-duterte-pre-trial-1657">READ: ICC prosecutor cites &#x27;insider witness,&#x27; says &#x27;neutralize&#x27; on Dela Rosa&#x27;s 2016 PNP memo meant to &#x27;kill&#x27;</a></div><p>Earlier in the day, the prosecution had alleged that Duterte personally drew up &quot;death lists&quot; and boasted about murders committed during his &quot;war on drugs,&quot; citing his own speeches and public statements.</p><p>They also cited insider witnesses who revealed details of the &quot;common plan,&quot; which was initially implemented in Davao City when Duterte was mayor before being expanded at the national level upon his election as president.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;RESTORE DIGNITY&#x27;</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177194628803355110749242_f8880abca2_k.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Paolina Massidda, a lawyer for the victims of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s war on drugs, during the confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands on February 23, 2026. Handout/ICC" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Paolina Massidda, a lawyer for the victims of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s war on drugs, during the confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands on February 23, 2026. <em>Handout/ICC</em></span></span></span></strong></div><p>The evidence submitted by the prosecution &quot;allow us to conclude that there are substantial grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte is criminally responsible for the crimes charged,&quot; said Massidda.</p><p>&quot;In particular, the evidence shows the existence of a common plan to kill individuals perceived by authorities as implicated in drug-related crimes,&quot; she added.</p><p>Massidda told the ICC judges that the victims of alleged extra-judicial killings &quot;have waited years for this moment,&quot; having been denied justice in the Philippines.</p><p>&quot;Today, they stand before you with the hope that justice long denied may finally be within reach. This court is their last refuge,&quot; she stressed. &quot;On their behalf, we ask this chamber to affirm that their suffering matters, that their rights matter, and that the rule of law extends even to the most powerful, by confirming all the charges against Mr. Duterte and committing him to trial.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/icc-prosecutor-explains-roles-of-duterte-s-alleged-co-perpetrators-2106">READ: ICC prosecutor explains roles of Duterte&#x27;s alleged &#x27;co-perpetrators&#x27;</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/list-key-points-from-duterte-s-first-icc-pre-trial-hearing-1233">LIST: Key points from Duterte&#x27;s first ICC pre-trial hearing</a></div><p>Massidda said that the victims of the war on drugs continue to experience trauma to this day, with families living in constant fear.</p><p>Nonetheless, the on-going proceedings have given these victims hope, which Massidda said they &quot;have been denied for years.&quot;</p><p>The confirmation of charges against Duterte will not merely be a legal step, she also said. &quot;It is a recognition that their loved ones mattered. It is an acknowledgement that what happened to them was wrong,&quot; the principal counsel said.</p><p>&quot;Justice cannot restore their loved ones, but it cannot restore dignity,&quot; she added. &quot;Justice can affirm humanity. Justice can help them begin to heal.&quot;</p><p>The court will take a one-day break on Wednesday before resuming on Thursday and Friday. Once the hearings wrap up Friday, the court will take up to 60 days to decide whether to proceed to a full trial, usually in a written judgement.</p><p>Duterte&#x27;s defense lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, on Monday said his client &quot;maintained his innocence absolutely&quot;.</p><p>He argued that while Duterte used &quot;bluster and hyperbole&quot; in his speeches, he also frequently ordered authorities only to shoot in self-defense.</p><p>Kaufman will address the court on Thursday.</p><p>Duterte, 80, is not in court after exercising his right not to appear.</p><p>His defense team says he is weak and in cognitive decline. The prosecution and victims counter that he is healthy but does not want to face the loved-ones of victims.</p><p>The court passed him fit to attend but granted his right to stay away. </p><div><strong>-- with a report from Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><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/oj3nI1KSFBA?&amp;pp=0gcJCaIKAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The principal counsel for the victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs on Tuesday called on the International Criminal Court to confirm the charges against him, stressing that it is a step towards justice and healing.</p>

The principal counsel for the victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs on Tuesday called on the International Criminal Court to confirm the charges against him, stressing that it is a step towards justice and healing.

Victims' counsel calls for confirmation of charges vs. Duterte: 'This court is their last refuge'

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Victims' counsel calls for confirmation of charges vs. Duterte: 'This court is their last refuge'

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 24, 2026 11:21 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 24, 2026 11:40 PM PHT

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Duterte ICC

International Criminal Court

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Rodrigo Duterte

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Paolina Massidda

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