Camille Naredo

Families of EJK victims and human rights groups hold a protest in Quezon City on the anniversary of former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and transfer to The Hague, March 11, 2026. Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News

Families of EJK victims and human rights groups hold a protest in Quezon City on the anniversary of former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and transfer to The Hague, March 11, 2026.

Article (news)

DUTERTE AT ICC

Lyza Aquino

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/1773222719558viber_image_2026-03-11_17-21-13-234.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Families of EJK victims and human rights groups hold a protest in Quezon City on the anniversary of former president Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s arrest and transfer to The Hague, March 11, 2026. Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Families of EJK victims and human rights groups hold a protest in Quezon City on the anniversary of former president Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s arrest and transfer to The Hague, March 11, 2026. <em>Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Families of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJK) and several human rights organizations gathered along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon to commemorate the first anniversary of the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity. </p><p>At around 3:30 p.m., relatives of the victims posted “wanted” posters along walls in the vicinity of the University of the Philippines Diliman. The posters carried the faces of Duterte and several of his alleged co-conspirators, including Senators Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa and Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, as well as former Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde. </p><p>After putting up the posters, the group held a short program along Katipunan Avenue. The activity was attended by members of several organizations, including Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Karapatan, Rise Up for Life and for Rights, and Akbayan Youth. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/11/a-year-after-duterte-arrest-families-of-ejk-victims-hope-icc-case-moves-to-trial-1551"><strong>A year after Duterte arrest, families of EJK victims hope ICC case moves to trial</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY A YEAR AFTER ARREST </strong></div><p>Human rights advocates said the anniversary marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of the anti-drug campaign carried out during Duterte’s administration. </p><p>“Malayo pa, pero malayo na ang narating natin sa pagpapanagot,” organizers said in a statement. “Today marks the first year since the arrest and detention at the International Criminal Court of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for crimes against humanity.” </p><p>They described the arrest as a historic moment for accountability, crediting the persistence of victims’ families, lawyers, and advocates who continued pushing for justice despite intimidation, harassment, and delays in legal proceedings. </p><p>The groups also stressed that the campaign for justice continues while the case progresses at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/21/ejk-victims-kin-human-rights-groups-hopeful-as-icc-proceeds-with-duterte-pre-trial-1616"><strong>EJK victims&#x27; kin, human rights groups hopeful as ICC proceeds with Duterte pre-trial</strong></a></div><p>&quot;As the proceedings continue in The Hague, we call on the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to confirm the charges against Duterte. We continue to stand with the victims until Duterte is convicted and all his co-perpetrators are likewise arrested, tried, and convicted,&quot; they said. </p><p>Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan renewed its call for the ICC to formally confirm the charges against the former president and proceed to trial. The group also reiterated its demand that Duterte’s alleged co-conspirators in the anti-drug campaign be arrested and held accountable. </p><p>According to Karapatan, lawyers representing Duterte have filed several motions over the past year challenging the competence of the judges, seeking to disqualify lawyers representing victims, and requesting delays in the confirmation of charges and trial proceedings. The defense also cited alleged cognitive deficits on Duterte’s part and attempted to secure his interim release. </p><p>However, the ICC Pre-Trial and Appeals Chambers have denied these arguments, allowing proceedings to continue moving toward trial. </p><p>Among those present at the gathering was Llore Pasco, a volunteer of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, who lost two sons during the anti-drug operations: 31-year-old Juan Carlos and 34-year-old Crisanto. </p><div><strong><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/kin-of-ejk-victims-call-for-justice-through-play-1619">Kin of EJK victims call for justice through play; Fr. Flavie urges public to be discerning</a></strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/kin-of-ejk-victims-call-for-justice-through-play-1619"><strong><br/></strong></a></div><p>Pasco recounted how her sons were killed in 2017. </p><p>“Ang mga anak ko ay napaslang noong May 12, 2017, dito rin po sa Quezon City. Partikular sa Diliman sa may arko dito. Sila po ay umalis noong May 11. Si Crisanto para kuhanin yung kanyang bagong security guard license po. Hindi na siya nakabalik, the following day, nalaman nalang po namin sa media, sa telebisyon, na may natagpuang bangkay sa arkong ito kaya pinuntahan ko, nagtanong ako, kung saan sila puwedeng makita, at yun sinabi naman sa akin, pinakita sa cellphone at nakilala ko na mga anak ko sila,” Pasco said. </p><p>She said the &quot;Wanted&quot; posters symbolize the people they believe were responsible for the killings. </p><p>“Ang paglalagay ng mga litrato sa wall or dito sa harapan ay pagpapakita na sila, sila ang mga pangunahing mga personalidad sa pangunguna ni Duterte na sila… si Duterte ang nagpatupad ng Oplan Tokhang at sila yung mga katulad ni Bato Dela Rosa, si Bong Go at itong si Oscar Albayalde, sila po yung mga taga-sunod para paslangin yung aming mga mahal sa buhay,” she said. </p><p>Pasco said the families hope Duterte remains detained while the hearings continue. </p><p>“Syempre ang gusto naming mangyari syempre isang taon na siya doon, ang hinihiling ng mga pamilya, ay manatili nalang siya doon hanggang sa matapos ang pagdinig. At gusto talaga naming matuloy ang trial sa mga susunod na araw,” said Pasco. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/22/drug-war-victims-denounce-claims-taxpayers-money-used-for-icc-confirmation-hearing-trip-2019"><strong>Drug war victims denounce claims taxpayers’ money used for ICC confirmation hearing trip</strong></a></div><p>She also expressed satisfaction with how the victims’ legal team has presented their case so far: “Yes po, Kuntento naman po kami dahil yun naman po ang totoo ang mga sinabi ng mga abogado, ang team ng mga biktima, nailahad naman po nila ang totoong pangyayari noong mga panahon ng tokhang ni Duterte.” </p><p>She emphasized that the families are demanding accountability from everyone involved, saying: “Syempre po sa lahat ng mga sangkot gusto naming managot sila. Kung wala silang kasalanan edi idepensa nila ang kanilang mga sarili, swerte nila na sila ay may due process, hindi tulad sa aming mga mahal sa buhay na ganun nalang po, pinaslang nalang na wala man lang imbestigasyon.” </p><p>Despite the long legal process ahead, Pasco said the families remain hopeful. </p><p>“Hopeful kami na matutuloy sa trial. Hindi po kami matatapos doon, tuloy tuloy pa rin po ang laban. Hindi lang po ito para sa amin kundi para sa ibang biktima na inabuso ang kanilang karapatang pantao,” she said.</p>

<p>Families of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJK) and several human rights organizations gathered along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon to commemorate the first anniversary of the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity.</p>

Families of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJK) and several human rights organizations gathered along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon to commemorate the first anniversary of the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity.

Families of EJK victims, human rights groups mark first year of Duterte’s arrest with protest

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Families of EJK victims, human rights groups mark first year of Duterte’s arrest with protest

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 11, 2026 05:52 PM PHT

Read More:

Crimes Against Humanity

EJK Victims

Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte arrest

Quezon City

protest

Karapatan

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