Victims’ families seek justice miles away from home

THE HAGUE – Grace and Sharon knew that justice for their loved ones seemed impossible. They did not expect they would find hope in a land thousands of miles away from home. 

Grace’s father and brother and Sharon’s brother were all killed in 2016, particularly within the first six months of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs.” Nine years later, they travelled to The Hague to make their voices heard.

On Sept. 23, the original schedule of hearing on the confirmation of charges against Duterte at the International Criminal Court, the two joined the protest led by Duterte Panagutin Europe.

“The postponement of the hearing today is not a hindrance to our fight for justice and accountability. We will not stop our efforts to hold Duterte accountable,” Grace said in Filipino during a program near the Peace Palace. 

Like Grace and Sharon, Donna Miranda’s brother was a victim of Duterte’s war. On January 9, 2017, two men on board a motorcycle shot her brother Emilian outside their house in San Pedro, Laguna. 

Miranda said that the police did not even pretend to be investigating the murder. “The immediate reaction of the police was very simple. Nasa drug list naman po pala ang kapatid n’yo,” she recalled. “A day after, the barangay did not have a second thought issuing me a  certification that my brother was on the drug list. As if this were normal. As if this were a national policy. And indeed it is a national policy, and this is why Duterte needs to be charged with crimes against humanity.”

On Sept. 22, the Office of the Prosecutor released a redacted version of the document containing the charges (DCC) against Duterte – three counts of crimes against humanity in the acts of murder and attempted murder. These charges pertain to 49 incidents committed in Davao, Manila, Quezon City, and Bulacan, where 78 persons were shot or killed by police, members of the Davao Death Squad, or other mercenaries. These should have been read on Sept. 23 if not for the requests filed by Duterte’s camp which were deemed dilatory tactics by human rights organizations. 

Other crimes

In a joint statement, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers and Rise Up for Life and for Rights expressed disappointment with the charges declared by the prosecution. 

“Proceeding with a smaller section of crimes against Duterte may be a strategy for the prosecution, but it is a disservice for the victims of the mass murders and also of his other crimes as well,” the groups said.

The DCC, the groups said, also narrows the number and category of victims who will be recognized and can participate in the case. “This is an obvious shortcoming of the legal process that is dispiriting for the thousands of victims of killings, illegal arrests and detentions, trumped-up charges, unlawful house raids, and other rights violations and abuses,” NUPL and Rise Up for Life and for Rights said.  

One of the victims’ counsels, Krissy Conti, said that the victims will appeal to include more incidents and other crimes.

According to the NUPL, the ongoing investigation covers all acts constituting crimes against humanity, including imprisonment or other severe deprivation of liberty, enforced disappearance, sexual violence, torture, and other inhumane acts. The warrant of arrest issued against Duterte in March 2025 was for acts of murder.  

For Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of Karapatan, Duterte’s crimes went beyond the war on drugs. She said that Duterte also implemented a counterinsurgency campaign which led to grave human rights violations. 

At the end of Duterte’s term, Karapatan recorded 422 victims of extrajudicial killings, 21 enforced disappearances, over 200 victims of torture, hundreds of thousands forcibly evicted due to military operations, among others. 

“The impunity that Duterte wielded during his time is very much felt until now,” Palabay said during the program, reiterating their opposition to Duterte’s request for interim release.

“Ilan namang kamag-anak niya, mga anak niya ang nasa puwesto pa rin hanggang sa kasalukuyan? Paano mo masasabing walang kapasidad gumanti sa mga biktima?” (How many of his relatives and children are still in power until now? How can you say that he has no capacity to get back at the victims?)  Palabay asked.  

Members of the Duterte Panagutin Europe network vowed to remain vigilant. Many of them travelled from different parts of Europe to join the week-long activities. 

Norwyn Crame, vice chairperson of Anakbayan United Kingdom, said,“Duterte supporters say bring him home, but he is home. The ICC provides a home for people who are criminals against humanity.” 

Garry Martinez, Migrante Europe, issued a message for Duterte in Filipino, “You are not safe because the Filipino people and the families of victims are watching you.”

The families of the victims thanked those in solidarity with them. “Even if you don’t personally know us, you are here with us. Listening to our stories is already a big help.” Sharon told their supporters in a forum eaier this week.

Sharon clings on to that sliver of hope. “We can wait a bit longer if this would eventually lead to Duterte’s conviction,” she said in Filipino.  (DAA)

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