Home Tags Posts tagged with "duterte war on drugs"
Tag:

duterte war on drugs

News

ICC grants evidence expansion in Duterte case; set Feb. 13 deadline 

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE PRE-TRIAL Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially granted requests from both the prosecution and the defense to expand their evidence lists in the ongoing case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a public decision dated Feb. 10, 2026, the Chamber approved the defense’s request to add 78 items to its evidence list and the prosecution’s request to add two additional items. 

The ruling comes just weeks before the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026.

Both legal parties, along with representatives for the victims, raised no objections to the additional materials. The Chamber found “good cause” for the additions, noting that they would not cause undue prejudice to either side.

The chamber ordered the prosecution and the defense to file their updated and final lists of evidence by no later than Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

The three-judge panel, presided over by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, emphasized that this decision is critical to ensuring a fair and thorough confirmation process later this month.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

ICC appoints legal team as it greenlights victim participation in Duterte case

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE INTERNATIONAL Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I has formally authorized the participation of victims in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, appointing a common legal team to represent their interests.

In a 15-page decision dated Jan. 26, 2026, the chamber approved applications from victims whose harm was reportedly directly linked to killings in Davao during Duterte’s tenure as mayor and the nationwide killings that occurred during his presidency.

The Court clarified that victims could be admitted even if they were not individually named in the initial charges, provided their cases fall within the specific time and geographic scope of the investigation.

Legal representation named 

The Registry has been instructed to appoint Mr. Joel Butuyan, Mr. Gilbert Andres, and a counsel from the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) as the common legal representatives for all admitted victims.

This team will have access to the record of proceedings and receive relevant documents to ensure the victims’ voices are heard as the case progresses.

The Chamber also dismissed objections raised by the Defense regarding the victim participation process.

Request to reopen applications denied

The decision also addressed the OPCV request to reopen the victim application process. 

The OPCV argued that many potential victims had not applied due to uncertainty about whether their specific incidents were included in the prosecution’s non-exhaustive list.

However, the chamber rejected the request, citing the need to protect the accused’s right to a timely process. The judges ruled that reopening applications at this stage would cause “undue delay” to the proceedings.

Future recourse for victims 

While the current application window is closed for the pre-trial stage, the chamber noted that victims who did not meet the deadline can still apply later if the case proceeds to a full trial.

The ruling was signed by Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, alongside Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

Duterte argues preconditions fail to meet post-withdrawal from Rome Statute

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal defense team, led by Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, has intensified his challenge against the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) authority, arguing that the tribunal lacks the legal basis to exercise jurisdiction over the Philippines following its 2019 withdrawal.

In a comprehensive filing submitted to the ICC Appeals Chamber on Jan. 23, 2026, the defense maintained that while the Court may have had theoretical jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was a State Party, it lost the power to act on that authority once the country officially exited the Rome Statute.

The crux of the defense’s 12-page submission lies in the distinction between possessing jurisdiction and exercising it. 

According to the filing: Article 12(2) Constraints: The defense argues that under Article 12(2) of the Rome Statute, a state must still be a Party at the time the Court acts to exercise its jurisdiction, not just when the alleged crimes occurred.

The lawyers contend that a “preliminary examination” does not constitute an exercise of jurisdiction. 

They argue that jurisdiction is only formally triggered by an authorized investigation under Article 13(c), which, in the Philippines’ case, did not occur until September 2021—two years after withdrawal.

“The ICC may have abstract jurisdiction over certain crimes… but can only exercise that jurisdiction if the territorial or nationality requirements are satisfied at the relevant time,” the filing stated.

Distinguishing the Burundi precedent

The defense also moved to distance the Philippines’ situation from the Burundi case, often cited by the Prosecution to justify continued jurisdiction.

 Kaufman’s team noted that in Burundi, the investigation was authorized before the withdrawal took effect, whereas the authorization for the Philippines situation came well after its departure was finalized.

Procedural justice vs. impunity

Addressing the Prosecution’s goal of ending impunity, the defense emphasized that the noble pursuit of justice does not permit “stretching” the Rome Statute beyond its plain meaning. 

They further argued that the Prosecution must “accept responsibility” for failing to initiate an investigation within the one-year window before the withdrawal became effective in March 2019.

Duterte remains in ICC custody in The Hague after his arrest in March 2025. 

The Appeals Chamber, presided over by Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, is currently reviewing these jurisdictional arguments alongside submissions from the Prosecution and victims’ counsel.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

Duterte Defense counsel challenges ICC public appeal for witnesses

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE LEAD defense counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte has criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) for publicly appealing for witnesses in the “War on Drugs” investigation, calling the move a threat to the court’s neutrality.

In a statement posted via social media by Alvin & Tourism, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman argued that the ICC Prosecution’s public call for testimony should not have been disseminated on the Court’s official website.

Kaufman contended that such a public appeal violates the principle of “equality of arms,” suggesting it provides the prosecution with preferential treatment over the defense.

“The Court is meant to be a neutral body and the system of law applied is adversarial,” Kaufman said. “Equality of arms between the parties to the litigation should be ensured.”

Despite his objections to the method of the appeal, Kaufman urged the public to use the ICC’s provided channels to submit information that could clear the former President’s name. He emphasized that the prosecution is legally obligated to investigate both incriminating and exonerating evidence to “discover the truth.”

Kaufman expressed confidence that a thorough investigation would establish Duterte’s “absolute innocence” regarding allegations that he orchestrated an organized policy to murder criminals or instructed law enforcement to commit crimes.

The defense team noted that they expect to receive any information submitted to the ICC that tends to exonerate the former President, citing the Court’s rules on due process and honest disclosure.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

Staying at ICC

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron
  • FPRRD to return only after Marcos Presidency: Pulong

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte reportedly has no plans to return to the Philippines so long as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains in power, 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte revealed.

Speaking to reporters outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) headquarters in The Hague, the lawmaker addressed the possibility of his father’s return to his home country.

“That is what we are praying for to the Lord—that he might be able to return to the Philippines. But according to him, he will stay here for now as long as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is still the president,” Rep. Duterte said.

The statement highlighted the deepening rift between the Duterte and Marcos families, as the former president continues to face legal proceedings regarding his administration’s “war on drugs.”

The former president remains in the Netherlands as the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I reviews his legal standing and health status.

‘Protect the Philippines’

Meanwhile, the lawmaker also relayed a message to the Filipino public and the armed forces. He emphasized that his father’s stance remains consistent: a call to uphold the law and prioritize national safety.

“His message, since he was still [in office], is to follow the Constitution of the Philippines,” the congressman stated.

Addressing the military and the general public, the former president reportedly issued a call for vigilance. “To our countrymen and to the military, he said that if you feel the Filipino people are in danger, protect the Filipino and the Philippines,” he said.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

Duterte siblings visit father in The Hague

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte has reportedly grown out his hair while in detention, according to his son, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, who recently visited the former leader at the International Criminal Court (ICC) facility.

In a video update shared by Alvin and Tourism on Facebook, Rep. Paolo and his sister, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, were seen together in The Hague to check on their father’s condition.

Addressing concerns regarding the former president’s well-being and the climate in the Netherlands, the congressman reassured the public that his father is adjusting well to the environment.

Despite the notoriously cold European winter, the lawmaker noted that the former president is not experiencing any discomfort. He said the temperature inside the ICC detention facility is strictly regulated and climate-controlled.

Rep. Duterte pointed out a noticeable change in his father’s appearance, stating that the former president now has long hair.

The visit marks a rare public glimpse into the Duterte family’s activities in The Hague since the ICC proceedings progressed. 

The presence of both the eldest son and the youngest daughter underscores the family’s support as the former leader remains under the jurisdiction of the international court.

Photo screengrab from Alvin and Tourism FB page

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Opinion

UPLM: ICC ruling affirms protection for victims and witnesses

by Contributor
written by Contributor

THE UNION of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) welcomes with profound relief and resounding affirmation the unanimous decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber to categorically reject the appeal of former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte for interim release.

This definitive ruling not only upholds the Pre-Trial Chamber I’s earlier decision but sends an unequivocal message: Mr. Duterte must remain detained pending the confirmation of charges hearing.

The decision is a crucial and indispensable preliminary victory for the thousands of victims and survivors of the “War on Drugs” and other alleged crimes against humanity. The Appeals Chamber has delivered a judgment that prioritizes justice, safeguards the integrity of the judicial process over political maneuvering. 

The ruling irrefutably confirms the ICC’s assessment that Mr. Duterte’s continued detention is absolutely necessary to effectively mitigate the manifest and persistent risks he poses to the security of victims and potential witnesses, and to prevent the obstruction of the judicial proceedings he has historically sought to undermine.

The attempt by the Defense to secure temporary freedom, citing health and humanitarian grounds, has been rightly and firmly denied. The Appeals Chamber saw past these legal challenges, underscoring the gravity of the charges and the absolute imperative for full cooperation with international justice mechanisms. No measure of personal privilege can outweigh the security of the marginalized.

For the thousands of families who have endured years of unimaginable grief, pervasive impunity, and paralyzing fear, this decision delivers a crucial measure of assurance. No individual, regardless of their past office, political stature, or power, stands above the scrutiny of international law when alleged to have committed the most serious crimes.

The ICC must now proceed with utmost urgency and without further delay with the confirmation of charges hearing and the arrest of the other co-perpetrators alongside Duterte. Every single day of procedural delay is an extended denial of justice for victims who have waited too long.

We urge the Court to swiftly navigate the remaining procedural hurdles to ensure that a full and public trial on the merits of this historical case can commence.

This is not the end of the quest for accountability, but it is a powerful, irreversible stride forward. The denial of interim release keeps the accountability door wide open, validating the long and arduous struggle of the victims’ movement.

The UPLM stands firmly with the victims and their legal representatives, and we shall continue to fight unrelentingly until truth and full justice are finally secured.

Atty. Antonio C. Azarcon/UPLM chair Contact: +639199124767  Atty. Arvin Dexter M. Lopoz/UPLM spokesperson Contact: +639260583543
0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

5,000 runners join ‘Run for Du30’

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

BEFORE dawn broke, thousands had already gathered — some stretching, some praying, many simply standing still, waiting for the signal to run. By 5 a.m., the crowd had swelled to more than 5,000 runners from all over Davao Region for the Run for Du30 event.

When Vice President Sara Duterte stepped onto the stage at the starting point, the crowd erupted. She gave a short message of the thanks to the crowd of supporters. “On behalf of the family, we thank you for your prayers and your continued support to former president Rodrigo Duterte,” she said.

She also addressed the social-media rumor claiming that the former President had been found unconscious inside his ICC cell.

“Dili to tinuod ug walay nahitabo na ing-ato… Ingon nya nga (It’s not true that something like that happened) maybe it was just a prank by many of my supporters,” she declared.

The vice president spoke about the family’s ongoing appeal before the ICC for her father’s interim release, framing it as both a legal battle and a prayer.

“We hope to hear good news for the public hearing on the appeal for his interim release on Nov. 28. But if not, the family will continue to support him in his stay in The Hague and, of course, continue to work with his defense team with regard to his legal case.”

The Run for Du30 is the second leg of the continuous activity aiming to galvanize support and apply pressure for the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte from ICC detention on a crimes against humanity charge. He was arrested in March this year and brought to The Hague, a move that his family and critics insisted was “extraordinary rendition” by the Marcos administration.

He won the Davao mayoralty position in absentia, although he would be replaced by his son, current vice mayor Sebastian Duterte, since he could not fulfill his duties as Davao City’s chief executive.

Organizers later said they expected thousands — but the turnout exceeded their expectations

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

ICC case update: Duterte defense submits 13 items of confidential evidence

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE LEGAL defense team for former President Rodrigo Duterte filed a formal notification to the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I, confirming the disclosure of 13 items of evidence, on Nov. 5, 2025.

Duterte’s defense counsel, led by Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, submitted the filing to the International Criminal Court as part of the ongoing investigation into the “Situation in the Republic of the Philippines” concerning killings committed during the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Confidential and ex parte filing

The communication, dated Nov. 3, confirmed that the disclosed items were submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV).

Crucially, the submission was filed as confidential and ex parte. This legal classification means:

  • The contents of the 13 evidence items are not accessible to the public.
  • The materials are restricted only to the defense, the prosecution, and the OPCV due to their highly sensitive nature.

The filing was formally titled as the “Defence Second Communication of Disclosure of Evidence” and was presided over by the three-judge panel of Pre-Trial Chamber I.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
News

ICC Prosecutor urges denial of Duterte’s interim release plea

by Rhoda Grace Saron
written by Rhoda Grace Saron

THE INTERNATIONAL Criminal Court’s (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) urged the Appeals Chamber to deny former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s appeal for temporary release, arguing that his continued detention is both lawful and necessary.

Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang asserted that Duterte still poses risks of flight, obstruction, and reoffending. 

Niang cited Duterte’s political influence and past actions, including his family’s continued ties to the government, as justification for the continued detention.

The prosecution countered the defense’s legal arguments, stating that detention is justified when the specified risks are possible, not when they are certain. 

The OTP also defended the use of open-source and NGO reports in previous pre-trial decisions.

Deputy Prosecutor Niang ultimately asked the Appeals Chamber to uphold the Pre-Trial Chamber’s initial ruling, emphasizing that Duterte’s detention protects the integrity of the Court and the justice process.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Verified by MonsterInsights