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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

Article (news)

EJK- ICC

Katrina Domingo

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/177207798992020260217-duterte-icc-ejk-families-JC4217.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" 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>THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Relatives and supporters of drug war victims were reminded on Wednesday to draw strength from the victory of the EDSA People Power Revolution, a day before former President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s defense team is scheduled to present their counterarguments before the International Criminal Court.</p><p>On the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/archbishop-villegas-laments-moral-decline-at-edsa-40-mass-0043">40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution</a>, they gathered in protest at the Central district here, reminding the public to draw lessons from the historic uprising that toppled the dictatorship of former Ferdinand Marcos Sr.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/-traumatic-families-of-ejk-victims-re-traumatized-on-day-1-of-duterte-icc-hearing-0737">Families of EJK victims &#x27;re-traumatized&#x27; on Duterte ICC hearing</a></div><p>“Many were tortured, many were arrested and it was a time of significant frustration, and if you were any less strong, you would have given up and just allowed the system to prosper,” ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said in her speech.</p><p>“I hope you look at each and every one and draw from that strength. Here in this arena, we must draw strength from each other so that we can continue to move forward,” she said.</p><p>Duterte’s defense team will likely launch “attacks” against the victims, media, and civic organizations during their presentation in the chamber on February 26, Conti warned.</p><p>She urged families and supporters of drug war victims to “expect the same type of statements that you heard during the opening remarks.”</p><p>Duterte’s lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman earlier painted the drug war as an exaggeration from the media, and a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/23/duterte-maintains-his-innocence-absolutely-says-kaufman-1949">politically-motivated </a>and “heavily-funded” propaganda from the former president’s political opponents.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/duterte-s-filipino-lawyers-claim-icc-confirmation-hearings-are-political-1046">Duterte’s Filipino lawyers claim ICC confirmation hearings are ‘political’</a></div><p>Martial law victim and human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares urged the public not to lose hope despite the massive disinformation and vitriol surrounding Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing.</p><p>Colmenares said drug war victims should always trust the capacity of Filipinos to &quot;reform&quot; and change the country &quot;for the better.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/25/filipinos-who-justify-drug-war-deaths-need-self-examination-carpio-1609">Filipinos who justify drug war deaths &#x27;up to now&#x27; need &#x27;self-examination&#x27;—Carpio</a></div><p>&quot;The lesson always is: Together, united in struggle, we will win and become victorious against oppression and exploitation,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;We will win that battle against corruption and exploitation because we are on the side of the just, on the side of truth, and because we are on the side of the people… That is the lesson of EDSA, and it is commemorated here as we celebrate our victory that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is in prison.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</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/k0rFn0qtuSc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/8wsliT4f_7Y?&amp;t=122s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Relatives and supporters of drug war victims were reminded on Wednesday to draw strength from the victory of the EDSA People Power Revolution, a day before former President Duterte's team is scheduled to present their counterarguments before the International Criminal Court.</p>

Relatives and supporters of drug war victims were reminded on Wednesday to draw strength from the victory of the EDSA People Power Revolution, a day before former President Duterte's team is scheduled to present their counterarguments before the International Criminal Court.

Supporters of drug war victims draw lessons from EDSA People Power to weather ICC proceedings

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Supporters of drug war victims draw lessons from EDSA People Power to weather ICC proceedings

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 26, 2026 12:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

Neri Colmenares

Kristina Conti

EDSA People Power

International Criminal Court

Drug War

Crimes Against Humanity

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