NEARLY four years since the International Criminal Court (ICC) started its probe into the Philippines’ bloody war on drugs, victims and their families said they are ready to face former president Rodrigo Duterte in court, as the confirmation of charges hearing is set for Sept. 23, 2025, in The Hague, the Netherlands.

For many of them, the hearing is more than just a legal proceeding — it is a chance to confront Duterte with the pain and trauma inflicted by thousands of killings and alleged abuses during his six-year presidency.

“The victims are prepared to confront Duterte and the painful memories of killings and abuses under his rule,” said lawyer Neri Colmenares, counsel for the victims under the network Rise Up for Life and for Rights.

The upcoming hearing will determine whether the Pre-Trial Chamber I judges will uphold the charges filed against Duterte, including crimes against humanity, and define the final scope of the case.

Prosecutors are expected to present evidence and call two witnesses, while Duterte’s defense team has signaled it will not be presenting any of its own.

The former president’s lawyers have hinted at “obstacles” that could disrupt the process while also opposing the prosecution’s case as legally unsound.

Victims’ groups warned that these could be attempts to delay or derail the proceedings., This news data comes from:http://www.aichuwei.com

“It is in the public’s interest that the hearing push through,” Colmenares said. “We thirst for truth and accountability. This is a rare opportunity for justice, not just for a few, but for the many.”

Under ICC rules, victims can formally participate in proceedings by submitting applications.

Those admitted as “victims of the case” will represent the interests of thousands of others.

They need not travel to The Hague, as they will be represented by a team of victims’ legal representatives, including lawyer Kristina Conti of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).

“Preparations are underway among victims, their lawyers, and supporters to ensure their voices are heard,” Conti said. “We reject any move for interim release or suspension of the process. The victims deserve their day in court.”

Duterte, who was arrested earlier this year and transferred to the ICC detention center, has consistently denied responsibility for extrajudicial killings under his administration.

His legal team is expected to argue that the case is politically motivated and outside the ICC’s jurisdiction, echoing earlier challenges filed by the Philippine government.

In 2018, Duterte pulled the Philippines out of the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty.

Drug war victims ready to face Duterte as ICC sets hearing on crimes against humanity

However, the Court ruled it still had jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was a member state (2011–2019).

The case has polarized Philippine society. Duterte’s supporters maintain he saved the country from the grip of drugs and criminality, while critics see his drug war as one of the darkest chapters in recent history.

For victims, the stakes are deeply personal. Civil society groups such as the Duterte Panagutin Network have vowed to keep watch, both in court and through online livestreams, mobilizing public support for the victims’ cause.

The confirmation of charges hearing is expected to last several days. Should the Pre-Trial Chamber confirm the charges, a full trial will follow — potentially lasting years.

If the charges are not confirmed, the case could collapse, a scenario victims and their lawyers are determined to prevent.

“The Sept. 23 hearing is not just about Duterte,” said Conti. “It is about whether the thousands of lives lost in the drug war will finally be given dignity through truth and accountability.”

As preparations intensify, one message from the victims and their legal teams is clear: They will resist any attempt to delay or derail the process.