Duterte’s 4th ICC status conference rekindles hopes for justice of victims’ families

MANILA — Families of victims of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war renewed their calls for justice on Tuesday as they watched his fourth status conference before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

At a watch party organized by the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) in Quezon City, the families said Duterte’s appearance before the ICC strengthened their hopes that he could face trial, which is scheduled to begin on November 30.

For the families, the proceedings represent a long-awaited opportunity to seek accountability for the killings of their loved ones, with some expressing little hope of obtaining justice through the Philippine justice system.

“Mahalaga ito sa amin na mga biktima at pamilya kasi ito talaga iyong inaabangan namin para sa hustisya na makamtaman namin sa ICC. Dahil kung kami ay aasa dito sa hustisya sa Pilipinas, wala naman talaga kaming mapapala,” said Dahlia Cuartero, 62, whose 26-year-old son died in an alleged buy-bust operation.

Llore Pasco, 71, whose two sons, aged 34 and 31, were found dead in Quezon City after allegedly being accused of robbery and shot by police, likewise welcomed Duterte’s appearance.

Pasco said the families were particularly encouraged by what they saw during the proceedings, noting that Duterte appeared capable of understanding and responding to questions ahead of his scheduled trial.

“Noong nakita namin iyong itsura ni Duterte, ay parehas pa rin noong last na hearing, na talagang kaya niyang humarap, kaya niyang makaintindi, at kaya niyang sagutin kung ano man iyong maibabato sa kanyang tanong. At ang pinakamahalaga ay mapanagutan niya ang kanyang mga ginawang krimen sa mga pamilyang biktima,” she said.

Tuesday’s proceedings marked the second time Duterte had appeared publicly since his appearance at the ICC’s third status conference on September 16.

The families’ hopes for accountability also extend to other officials they believe were involved in the drug war, including Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police chief who has been linked to the ICC’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2018.

Dela Rosa has been in hiding amid reports of an ICC arrest warrant against him. He briefly returned to the Senate on May 11, 2026, after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano persuaded him to attend the Senate presidency vote.

National Bureau of Investigation agents and former senator Antonio Trillanes later arrived at the Senate to serve the warrant. Following a standoff and a reported shooting incident, dela Rosa left the Senate building on May 14 and went into hiding again.

Asked what message they had for dela Rosa, Pasco said the families wanted him apprehended and held accountable for his alleged role in implementing the anti-drug campaign.

“Matagal na naming gusto na mahuli siya. Dahil isa rin siya sa nagpatupad ng tokhang, kasama iyong iba pang opisyal ng gobyerno. Ang sabi nga namin ng mga pamilyang biktima, lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot,” Pasco said.

The watch party brought together victims’ families, lawyers, religious organizations and human rights groups, who continue to monitor the ICC proceedings ahead of the scheduled trial.