MANILA, Philippines—The appearance of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sept. 16 has emboldened the families of victims and survivors to continue sharing their stories.
The Truth Commission, an independent civil society-led body tasked with uncovering the truth about “drug war” killings in the Philippines, recognizes the ICC proceedings as important. The group also believes the struggle for justice, accountability, healing and closure does not end at the Hague.
Convened in May 2026, the commission conducts public truth-telling sessions every two weeks, allowing survivors and families of victims to recount their experiences.
“The sessions are particularly important for victims and survivors whose cases are not included in the proceedings before the ICC. The Truth Commission will ensure that more of those who suffered are heard,” commission chairman Judge Raul Pangalangan said.
Duterte attended the third status conference of ICC Trial Chamber III, where judges discussed matters concerning the prosecution’s evidence and witnesses, the disclosure of evidence to the defense, additional incidents and the schedule of hearings leading to the trial set on Nov. 30, 2026.
It was Duterte’s first appearance in person since his initial appearance on March 14, 2025, via video conference.
The ICC also ruled that Duterte should remain in detention, finding no material change in circumstances that would warrant his release.
For the case to move forward efficiently, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner asked the prosecution to consider reducing its current list of witnesses and evidence, given that the latter submitted thousands of exhibits.
Meanwhile, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, a longtime critic of Duterte’s narcotics crackdown, also expressed support for the families of victims following the former president’s appearance.
“We are one with the families of EJK victims in wishing Duterte continued fitness to stand trial and face accountability for his crimes against humanity,” De Lima said in a social media post.
De Lima was incarcerated in 2017 on three charges on drug-related cases. She denied all the allegations, which slowly disintegrated after the first acquittal in 2021, another dismissal in 2023 that led to her bail, and until the last case was cleared in 2024.
Truth-telling continues
The next-truth-telling session of the commission will feature Clarita Alia, a mother from Davao City whose four sons were killed between 2001 and 2007 in incidents attributed to the “Davao Death Squad.”
Although not included in the ICC’s current case against Duterte, the deaths of Alia’s sons are being presented as they are part of the history of killings associated with Duterte in his stint as mayor of Davao City.
Anna Coritha Ramos lost his son Kim Lester, a 23-year old construction worker who was shot dead in Marikina City in 2019. He was her eldest. Her son’s death brought questions and pain that have continued to torment the family years after Kim Lester’s fatal shooting.
Cases like Ramos’s illustrate the many families seeking answers and accountability for killings that occurred during the period of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, beyond those specifically covered by the ICC proceedings.
The public sessions, conducted by the Truth Commission, are intended to give victims and survivors a platform to tell their stories and contribute to a broader record of the violence and its effects on families.
As Duterte’s case moves toward trial, the commission said the pursuit of truth and accountability will continue beyond the proceedings at The Hague. (davaotoday.com)
