Kin of ‘drug war’ victims hope no delay in ICC trial amid Kaufman withdrawal

MANILA – “There should be no delays.” 

This is the collective call of the families of drug-related extrajudicial killings as British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman requested to withdraw as lead lawyer of Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) following a series of legal defeats.

“For Kaufman, this was employment. We know he is not concerned about us. We look to the ICC to ensure the trial process continues without disturbance,” said Jane Lee, wife of drug war victim Michael Lee and a member of Rise Up for Life and for Rights.

On May 8, 2026, the ICC released the public redacted version of Kaufman’s request to withdraw from the case. 

“In the event that leave is granted, I affirm that I will adhere to all relevant provisions of the Code of Professional Conduct concerning confidentiality and record-keeping provided for in Articles 8, 15, and 17,” Kaufman wrote.

Kaufman represented Duterte during the confirmation of charges hearing on ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I and the jurisdiction challenge before the ICC Appeals Chamber. In both cases, the ICC ruled against Duterte.

Read: Kaufman withdraws as Rodrigo Duterte’s counsel

Rise Up for Life and for Rights organized a small group discussion with the families. For them, their concern is making sure that the ICC trial phase moves forward. Lee said, “We families want the ICC to keep moving things forward.”

If the request is approved, another lawyer — whose name was redacted in the filing — will immediately assume representation. Kaufman said the new counsel assured him that he would attend the status conference scheduled on May 27, 2026.

“We are ready for trial. The prosecution has strong evidence to present. Duterte will have his day in court. Any delaying tactics should be disallowed,” said Llore Pasco, mother of victims Crisanto and Juan Carlos Lozano, and a member of Rise Up for Life and for Rights.

Kaufman revealed to the media that the new lawyer was chosen directly by the Duterte family: former President Rodrigo Duterte’s wife, Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Avanceña, and daughter, Veronica ‘Kitty’ Duterte.”

“Duterte has access to well-paid lawyers. He can change his team, but it shouldn’t be allowed to slow down the process,” Pasco added. 

Rise Up for Rights and for Life called on other families of drug-related killings to come forward and join them in their fight for justice, especially with the anticipated start of trial within the year.

The ICC already constituted the ICC Trial Chamber III that will hear the case of Duterte on three counts of crimes against humanity. The ICC Presidency assigned judges Joanna Korner, Keebong Paek, and Nicolas Guillou to form part of Trial Chamber III.

ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said that the appointment of a new lawyer does not automatically reset or give rise to new remedies available to the accused.

Out of the more than 30,000 victims documented by human rights groups, only five cases resulted in court convictions, according to Amnesty International 2026 state of human rights report.

No public arrest warrant

In a related development, the ICC spokesperson told media that there is no public arrest warrant issued yet to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who was named as Duterte’s indirect co-perpetrator along with other seven high officials, after reports circulated in the Philippine media that an arrest warrant has been released. 

“We look forward to more arrests by the ICC, especially the arrest of Senator Bato. He may be fearing his arrest; we are looking forward to it,” Lee said. “Duterte’s trial at the ICC is an opportunity to attain justice for our loved ones.”

Despite the news that there has been no public warrants issued yet, human rights group Karapatan reiterates its call for the immediate arrest of Dela Rosa as one of the principal implementers of Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs.” 

“Dela Rosa openly and mockingly dared the ICC to arrest him, projecting arrogance and impunity before the public. Yet now, amid intensifying calls for accountability, he is nowhere to be found,” the group said.

Dela Rosa has not made any public appearance nor attended any session at the Senate since November 2025, when the news broke out that the ICC’s arrest warrant is already underway. Karapatan emphasized that this prolonged absence only strengthens public perception that he is evading accountability.

“No position, privilege, or political connection should place anyone above the law,” Karapatan stated. “It is only a matter of time before justice catches up with Bato. His days of impunity are numbered.”

Also named in the document were Senator and Duterte’s former presidential aide Cristopher “Bong” Go, former Manila Police District Director Vicente Danao, former Philippine National Police Chief of Staff Camilo Cascolan, another former police chief Oscar Albayalde, former National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran, former PDEA chief Isidro Lapeña, and former justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

Read: ICC identifies Duterte’s co-perpetrators in ‘drug war’

“Those who designed, ordered, and implemented the killings under Duterte’s drug war as well as his counterinsurgency and other draconian policies must be held fully accountable for the grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed against thousands of Filipinos,” Karapatan added. (AMU, RVO)

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