Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

QUEZON CITY — Relatives of victims of the Duterte administration&#x27;s war on drugs gathered Friday at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, joining human rights advocates in a protest and “justice watch” as the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte continued before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.The gathering, held near the UP College of Mass Communications, brought together families who have been closely following the proceedings since the start of the week.They watched a livestream of the ICC session and held a short program calling for Duterte to be held accountable and for the arrest of individuals identified by the prosecution as alleged co-conspirators. Protesters carried posters bearing the faces of officials they described as Duterte’s allies in the anti-drug campaign, including Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde, Sen. Bong Go, and former Manila Police District director Vicente Danao.Many wore white ribbons on their heads with the word “Hustisya” (Justice) printed on them before marching to the venue, where they continued monitoring the hearing.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/icc-prosecution-rejects-claims-of-improper-influence-stresses-independence-1602">ICC prosecution rejects claims of improper influence, stresses independence of Duterte probe</a></div>Families said they felt encouraged by the prosecution’s presentation in the crimes against humanity case, expressing belief that the evidence presented was sufficient to move the case forward to a full trial. Nanette Castillo, whose son Aldrin was shot dead outside their home in Tondo in 2017, criticized the arguments of the defense.“Walang substansya kasi ’yung sinasabi ni Kaufman. Nung 23 pa lang, ’yung mga sinasabi niya, sinisisi niya ang media, ’yung mga pari, kung sino-sino sinisisi niya na pinapalaki, ’yung sinasabi ni Duterte, ’yung mga statement ni Duterte na ‘kill, kill, kill,’ ’yung ‘I will kill you.’ Which is ’yun, ’yun ang nangyari,” Castillo said.Lawyer Josa Deinla, secretary-general of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), said she was impressed by how the prosecution structured its arguments before the court, describing the presentation as methodical and detailed. “Lagi naming pinapahayag na bilib talaga kami sa prosecution, humanga kami, sa naging method nila papaano nila inilahad ang teorya ng prosecution, very meticulous inisa-isa ang mga charges sa yugto kung saang na nagsimula ito noong panahon pa na mayor pa si dating Presidente Rodrigo Duterte. Tapos later on naging national yung scale of attacks nung siya ay naging pangulo na,” Deinla said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/kaufman-icc-prosecution-failed-to-show-alleged-ejks-targeted-entire-filipino-population-1950">Kaufman: ICC prosecution failed to show alleged EJKs targeted entire Filipino population</a></div>She noted that prosecutors outlined what they described as a “common plan,” as well as Duterte’s alleged role as an indirect co-perpetrator.“Inilahad yung mga elemento ng common plan, ano ang mga naging partisipasyon ni Duterte dito bilang isang indirect co-perpetrator, bagamat hindi siya yung mismong bumaril sa mga biktima, ay siya ay malaki ang naging papel sa tinatawag na common plan to neutralize the alleged or suspected drug offenders,” she said. Deinla said she was particularly struck by the discussion of Duterte’s “essential contributions.”“Higit ako napahanga sa naging discussion ng essential contributions ni Duterte kung napansin ninyo, nakita doon kung papaano inilatag yung makinarya, kung papaano inarmasan, yung Philippine National Police, papaano inilagay sa key positions in law enforcement yung mga tinatawag na ‘Davao Boys’ na dati na niyang kasama sa Davao, na nag-iimplement ng same policy to neutralize drug suspects,” she added.Responding to the defense’s arguments, Deinla said these largely revolved around denial and the absence of criminal intent.“What we have been hearing sa tugon naman ni Nicholas Kaufman, the defense counsel, of course it&#x27;s largely denial, sinasabi nila na walang criminal intent o yung mens rea, kasi mahalaga yung mental element eh, eh wala naman daw siyang intent na pumatay. Yung tinatawag na to neutralize doon sa language ng document ay hindi naman daw ibig sabihin na pumatay, pero siyempre hindi mo naman ilalahad yun doon. that you are out to kill, in the documents diba?” she said.“Makikita mo yan doon sa naging acts. Ano ba yung nangyari? Papaano ba pinagtakpan ito? At papano nagbunyi yung mga perpetrators pagkatapos ng massive na patayan nung panahon na yun,” she added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/27/duterte-hearing-stream-had-missing-parts-due-to-redactions-on-identifying-information-icc-0126">ICC: Duterte hearing stream had missing parts due to redactions on identifying information </a> </div>“Siyempre tayo ay we oppose that of course, hindi tayo naniniwala doon in fact ang gusto natin ilahad dito ay ito ay pawang kasinungalingan, denial na ito ay idinadaan dito sa nangyaring confirmation of charges. Kumpiyansa tayo na ito ay pupunta sa paglilitis. After 60 days, we will know the decision of the Pre trial chamber.” Deinla said efforts are ongoing to consolidate victims and document additional cases, noting that victims are formally represented in ICC proceedings.She added that the charges currently being heard involve murder and attempted murder, but other alleged crimes, including torture and sexual abuse, may be addressed separately.Deinla also criticized what she described as a continuing disinformation campaign surrounding the killings.“Sa totoo lang itong nangyayaring disinformation campaign pinapatunayan niya yung ibinahagi ng victim’s representative noong opening remarks na kung saan sinabi doon kung papaano, or how the victims were stripped off their dignity, not only in the way that they were killed but how massive disinformation came in the heels of the killing,” she said. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/27/victims-always-central-to-icc-case-but-duterte-still-wrongly-charged-kaufman-0645">Victims &#x27;always central&#x27; to ICC case but Duterte still &#x27;wrongly charged&#x27;: Kaufman </a></div>“So bukod sa pagdodoktor ng mga death certificate, sa pamamagitan ng mga maling cause of death, ayan, minamanipula ang mga imahe, ang daming kasinungalingan na ipinapakalat, na hindi lang tungkol sa mga biktima kahit sa mga abogado. Pinapatunayan niya yung nagiging karanasan ng mga biktima kung papaano sinusubukan pagtakpan at binabaluktot yung narratibo.”Despite uncertainties, Deinla said families remain determined.“In the remote chance na hindi matuloy ito, hahanap tayo ng ibang avenues para makamit ang hustisya. Sa umpisa bigong-bigo na ang mga pamilya, hindi sila nagtagumpay sa ombudsman, sa korte, mas lalong konti yung conviction na nakuha namin. Hindi tayo titigil hanggat hindi natin nakukuha ang hustisya in one way or another.”The ICC’s confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the case against Duterte to proceed to trial. Volunteer lawyers in Quezon City continue to brief families during session breaks as the proceedings in The Hague move forward.

Relatives of victims of the Duterte administration's war on drugs gathered Friday at UP Diliman, joining human rights advocates in a protest and “justice watch” as the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte continued before the ICC.

Relatives of victims of the Duterte administration's war on drugs gathered Friday at UP Diliman, joining human rights advocates in a protest and “justice watch” as the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte continued before the ICC.

'We will not stop until there is justice': Drug war victims’ families hold emotional vigil amid Duterte hearing

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'We will not stop until there is justice': Drug war victims’ families hold emotional vigil amid Duterte hearing

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 27, 2026 10:09 PM PHT

Read More:

EJK victims

Confirmation of charges

Rodrigo Duterte

War on drugs

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