Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

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/1773214637637viber_image_2026-03-11_10-01-20.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Families of victims of alleged extrajudicial killings under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war mark the first anniversary of his International Criminal Court arrest with a memorial mass and remembrance program, March 11, 2026. Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Families of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs expressed Wednesday hope that the crimes against humanity case against him before the International Criminal Court (ICC) will proceed to a full trial.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/10/ph-will-not-rejoin-icc-0854">Marcos still not inclined to rejoin ICC – Palace</a></div><p>During a mass celebrated by Fr. Flaviano Villanueva at the Sacred Heart Parish Shrine, relatives of drug war victims gathered in a circle and took turns sharing their thoughts on recent developments in the case.</p><p>“Nagpapasalamat ako na kulong na si Duterte at maranasan niya yung mga ginawa niya sa mga namatay,” one relative said.</p><p>Another family member added: “Masaya po kasi naniniwala na po ako ngayon sa hustisya, na mabibigyan ang mga mahihirap.”</p><p>“Sana po habambuhay na po siya dun makulong para pagdusahan niya yung pagpatay sa tatlo ko pong anak,” said another mother.</p><p>In his homily, Villanueva, who is also the founder of the church-based support program for drug war victims and their families called Project Paghilom, reminded those in government of their duty to uphold human rights.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/3/doj-no-legal-prohibition-on-ph-gov-t-coordination-with-icc-1616">DOJ: No legal prohibition on PH gov’t coordination with ICC</a></div><p>“Kapag wala kang galang sa iyong kapwa tao, wala kang pagpapahalaga sa Diyos at sa iyong katabi, kung wala kang pagpapahalaga sa ‘yong kapwa, sa lipunan at sa karapatang pantao, ikaw ang pinakamababang uri ng tao na nilalang sa mundo. Ang tawag sa ‘yo, karton,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CHURCH AND POLITICS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Two sets of remains of victims that were previously cremated and inurned after undergoing forensic analysis have also been turned over to their families. </p><p>The remains will eventually be laid to rest at the Dambana ng Paghilom, a memorial built for EJK victims that currently holds 116 sets of remains. </p><p>According to Villanueva, the forensic work conducted by an independent expert may also help support the ICC case.</p><p>“Ito po ay kasama sa paglilitis po ng International Criminal Court at kasama rin marahil sa gagawing, itong tinatawag nating EJK truth commission,” he said.</p><p>Villanueva also emphasized that church groups and civilians have the right to assist in the pursuit of justice.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/10/imee-seeks-full-disclosure-of-gov-t-cooperation-with-icc-in-duterte-case-1334">Imee seeks full disclosure of gov’t cooperation with ICC in Duterte case</a></div><p>“Wala akong nakikitang iligal kung pinagtatanggol mo ang buhay, lalong higit buhay na kinitil, buhay na pinatay dahil sa utos ng Presidente. Ang Presidente dapat nagtataguyod, nagtatanggol. Whereas kay Duterte, ang ipinagtanggol niya ay yung mga pulis at yung mga inutusan niyang pumatay,” he said.</p><p>Villanueva, together with fellow priest Fr. Allan Bondoc, also led a remembrance ceremony outside the church. </p><p>Families lit candles and held white roses as they placed slippers belonging to their loved ones on the ground to symbolize the many lives lost during the deadly anti-drug campaign. Bondoc later blessed the objects with holy water.</p><p>“Maraming nagsasabi na hindi dapat makialam ang Simbahan sa pulitika o gobyerno. Parang sinasabi mo na &#x27;wag makialam ang isang doktor kapag malubha na ang sakit mo. Ang simbahan ay nagsisilbing ospital kapag ang gobyerno o pulitika ay nakakaranas ng malubhang sakit — sakit na unti-unting pumapatay sa kalayaan ng bayan at karapatan ng tao,” Bondoc said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>KAUFMAN A &#x27;DDS CLONE&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The ICC recently concluded a four-day confirmation of charges hearing from February 23 to 27. Judges of the Pre-Trial Chamber are expected to decide within 60 days whether there are substantial grounds for the case to proceed to a full trial.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/28/icc-wraps-up-duterte-confirmation-hearing-ruling-due-within-60-days-0802"><strong>READ: ICC wraps up Duterte confirmation hearing<br/></strong></a></div><p>During the hearings, prosecutors presented their case arguing that Duterte’s anti-drug campaign followed a “common plan,” allegedly rooted in what they described as the “Davao model.”</p><p>The Prosecution outlined how, since Duterte’s time as mayor of Davao City, extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out by the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) were used to project a hardline anti-crime stance that helped propel his political career from mayor to president.</p><p>Prosecutors also argued that several alleged co-perpetrators linked to the DDS were later appointed to key government positions that implemented the nationwide anti-drug campaign. Duterte’s public speeches were also presented to support allegations that they encouraged killings.</p><p>But Duterte’s defense team rejected these claims, calling the DDS a “complete fiction” and a “fantasy gang.” Defense lawyers argued that prosecutors failed to establish a causal link between Duterte’s speeches and the 49 incidents involving 78 victims being examined in the case.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/25/icc-grants-duterte-s-request-to-skip-hearing-reviewing-his-detention-2311">ICC grants Duterte&#x27;s request to skip hearing reviewing his detention</a></div><p>The defense also relied on police records that they say show the deaths occurred during armed confrontations, supporting the police’s long-standing “nanlaban” narrative.</p><p>They further claimed Duterte’s arrest was politically motivated, with the defense alleging that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought to “neutralize Duterte and his legacy,” despite the first ICC complaint against Duterte being filed in 2017 while he was still in office. But Fr. Villanueva criticized Duterte’s defense strategy.</p><p>“Alam ko at panatag ang aking loob ko na maganda ang pagpapalatag ng Prosecution team at yung ginawa ni Kaufman at ng Defense ay istilong DDS. At kung dudugtungan mo pa ng tanong, kamusta naman si Kaufman, pakiramdam ko siya ay isang DDS clone na may British accent,” he said.</p><p>Duterte was arrested on March 11 by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and Philippine authorities upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from a trip to Hong Kong. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/11/a-year-into-duterte-arrest-sara-still-insists-father-rodrigo-was-kidnapped-1059"><strong>READ: A year into Duterte arrest, Sara still insists father Rodrigo was &#x27;kidnapped&#x27;<br/></strong></a></div><p>He was flown to The Hague the following day and formally turned over to the custody of the International Criminal Court on March 12. Duterte has since been held at the ICC Detention Center.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><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/hYp87HwYBqY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></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/uyt7dsXXA1k?&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/9crX6E8kjRo?&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/IgAfKPyesvY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Families of victims of extrajudicial killings linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs expressed Wednesday hope that the crimes against humanity case against him before the International Criminal Court will proceed to a full trial.</p>

Families of victims of extrajudicial killings linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs expressed Wednesday hope that the crimes against humanity case against him before the International Criminal Court will proceed to a full trial.

A year after Duterte arrest, families of EJK victims hope ICC case moves to trial

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

A year after Duterte arrest, families of EJK victims hope ICC case moves to trial

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 11, 2026 03:51 PM PHT

Read More:

ICC

International Criminal Court

drug war

Rodrigo Duterte

Flaviano Villanueva

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.