The International Criminal Court’s decision to indefinitely postpone Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing has drawn strong condemnation from victims’ families and rights advocates.
They said the move undermines efforts to hold the former president accountable for thousands of drug war killings.
On September 8, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I granted a request from Duterte’s camp to adjourn the hearing, citing claims that the former president was “not fit to stand trial.”
Relatives of victims and rights groups rejected the argument, stressing that the delay prolongs their long search for justice.
“Duterte’s children still see him. But what about us? For nine years we have been waiting, while our children rot in their graves,” said Emily Soriano, whose son was killed in the anti-drug campaign.
She said she hopes the hearing will resume on September 26, the birthday of her son.
“We have been waiting nine years, and that is already too long,” said Llore Pasco, who lost two sons to the drug war.
“Duterte is deceitful. We are prepared at any moment and expect the ICC to change its decision. What we want is for the hearing to continue. He should not be granted interim release,” she added.
Rights lawyer Kristina Conti, counsel for some of the families, said the trial can proceed without Duterte’s personal appearance. “We hope that the postponement is only for a limited time,” she said.
“The confirmation of charges is about determining what he is being accused of. His lawyers will be the ones to speak. Under Rule 124, a suspect can waive appearance. There is a way and there is a basis,” the lawyer added.
Conti said they supported the dissenting opinion of Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera, who voted against the adjournment. “This kind of maneuver is not new at the ICC—last-minute suspensions, sudden halts, or begging by suspects,” she said.
Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a network of families of those killed in the anti-drug campaign, said Duterte remains capable of facing trial.
“Mr. Duterte is fit to stand trial, just as he is able to utilize resources in his efforts to delay and block our fight for justice,” the group said. “The request for the adjournment of the proceedings is unjustifiable and is just one of his many attempts to evade accountability.”
Deaconess Rubilyn Litao, coordinator of Rise Up, emphasized that the families’ demand for justice cannot be postponed. “The families are not postponing their call for justice. It has already been too long. Since March, the families of the victims have continued to hope,” she said.
The group recalled how Duterte once challenged the ICC to investigate him. In November 2024, he told lawmakers, “If I am found guilty, I will go to prison and not there for all time.”
Rise Up said the former president has now “lost all his braggadocio and proves to be a big coward.”
Human rights alliance Karapatan also expressed alarm, warning that delays could put witnesses in danger.
Cristina Palabay, secretary general of the group, noted that former police colonel Royina Garma is expected to testify for the prosecution, which could strengthen the case of crimes against humanity.
“We will remain vigilant and keep watch if the International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber will stay true to its declaration of a limited postponement and that the process of determining the charges to be levelled against Duterte will proceed forthwith,” Palabay said.
“We will not relent in the quest to hold Rodrigo Duterte and his cohorts accountable for the tens of thousands of extrajudicial killings and other grave human rights violations,” she added.
