Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Kin of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims and human rights advocates post “wanted” posters of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his alleged co-perpetrators at the Freedom Wall along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The move marks the first anniversary of Duterte’s arrest and detention by the International Criminal Court (ICC).  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

1st YEAR DUTERTE ARREST

Marilyn Cahatol

Allison Co

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/177838950767620260311-ejk-protest-duterte-arrest-1st-year-MT9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Kin of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims and human rights advocates post “wanted” posters of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his alleged co-perpetrators at the Freedom Wall along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.<em>  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Drug war victims are still confident to face the trial against former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court despite his legal counsel&#x27;s recent withdrawals, ICC Assistant Counsel Maria Kristina Conti said. </p><p>“Sino pa man po ang abogado ni Duterte, hindi maiiba ang ebidensiya. At yung ebidensiyang nakaharap na, nakita natin nagkaroon ng mga patayan, malawakan ito o sistematiko,” Conti told DZMM Teleradyo.</p><p>“Alam ito ni Duterte at malinaw na siya ay kasali doon sa nag-encourage ng killing. Kaya para sa amin, kung sino man ang abogado niya, good luck dahil matibay ang ebidensiya. Confident po ang mga biktima pagtungtong sa trial,” she said.</p><p>Duterte’s lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman and associate defense Dov Jacobs have <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/8/kaufman-jacobs-withdraw-as-lawyers-for-duterte-2358">withdrawn from representing the former president </a>before the ICC.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DELAYING TACTIC?</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Conti said this has been expected as a “tactic to delay” the trial.</p><p>The ICC assistant counsel however noted that the changes in the defense counsel should not be a reason to postpone the proceedings, including the status conference set on May 27.</p><p>Conti said she hopes the new lawyers will be careful about sharing information publicly, which she said the victims’ camp struggled with Kaufman, who has been “enthusiastic” in communicating with the media and &quot;swaying issues.&quot;</p><p>Meanwhile, the victims’ camp remains focused on encouraging more victims to participate in the trial.</p><p>“Kung dito tayo mag-focus, baka maging counteroffensive. Masyado nating ma-focus-an kaysa sa mag-focus kung ano ba talaga yung kaso,” she said.</p><div><a href="http://EJK victims seek no delay as Duterte legal team changes — Conti">EJK victims seek no delay as Duterte legal team changes — Conti</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>MAY 27 STATUS CONFERENCE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The May 27 status conference will tackle, among others, the trial schedule, evidence submitted by the prosecution and defense, and Duterte’s detention, according to Conti. </p><p>The defense has not submitted a new interim release request. But Conti said Kaufman, before leaving Duterte’s camp, requested access to CCTV footage of the former president&#x27;s alleged accidents inside the detention facility, which may be used by the defense to plan its strategies.</p><p>“Tinitimpla ko, parang hindi naman sila humihiling outright ng interim release. Wala pa. Hindi niya isinulat sa dulo pero sabi nya pwedeng patingin ng CCTV sa detention facility kasi parang nahuhulog, may ganun daw reported incidents ng nadadapa siguro, nahuhulog. Kaya pag-aaralan siguro nila or susunod na abogado kung ano ang gagawin doon,” she said.</p><p>The victims&#x27; lawyer however noted that interim release cannot be based on Duterte&#x27;s detention state but on whether or not he will still attend proceedings voluntarily, will not escape, or will not commit a crime in his release.</p><p>The ICC may issue an update on Duterte’s detention by June this year, Conti said.</p><p>The trial is expected to take place six months to one year and six months after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed all three counts of alleged crimes against humanity that Duterte faces.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/2/what-will-happen-when-icc-trial-chamber-convenes-for-status-conference-in-duterte-case-1554">What will happen when ICC Trial Chamber convenes for status conference in Duterte case?</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>NO PUBLIC WARRANT VS BATO DOES NOT MEAN NONE  </strong></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><p>Even if the ICC announced that there is no public arrest warrant, this does not mean that there is none for Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, the chief enforcer and architect of Duterte’s drug war, according to Conti.</p><p>“Ang hirap mag-confirm o deny kasi ICC lang o kaya yung Philippine government ang pwedeng mag-disclose niyan.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Malaki kasi ang epekto niyan doon sa eventuality of the enforcement,” Conti explained.</p><p>The ICC earlier clarified that “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/9/icc-says-no-public-arrest-warrants-issued-in-ph-1854">no public arrest warrants have been issued”</a> against Dela Rosa amid heightened speculation following possible contingency measures by Philippine authorities.</p><p>But as Conti explained, by default, arrest warrants are not publicly disclosed by the ICC.</p><p>“Ngayon parang may bago silang patakaran ang mismong application palang secret na yung pag-issue ng warrant depende yan sa judges kung secret o public pero by default secret para ma-ensure na mahuli mo,” she added.</p><p>Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Saturday said he has <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/9/dilg-no-info-yet-on-alleged-icc-arrest-warrant-vs-bato-dela-rosa-1510">not received any copy</a> of the alleged arrest warrant but added that they are preparing a 10,000-strong task force for dragnet operations should the ICC issue a warrant.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/81fHhdcS05M?si=avpXSpGtvpS2dD2d" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Drug war victims are still confident to face the trial against former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court despite his legal counsel's recent withdrawals, ICC Assistant Counsel Maria Kristina Conti said.</p>

Drug war victims are still confident to face the trial against former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court despite his legal counsel's recent withdrawals, ICC Assistant Counsel Maria Kristina Conti said.

Drug war victims still confident to face ICC trial vs Duterte despite defense counsel change

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Drug war victims still confident to face ICC trial vs Duterte despite defense counsel change

Marilyn Cahatol,

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 10, 2026 01:10 PM PHT

|

Updated May 10, 2026 01:11 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

Nicholas Kaufman

Dov Jacobs

International Criminal Court

crimes against humanity

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.