'Wheels of justice' turning: ICC trial confirmation draws praise

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights groups and advocates on Thursday, April 23, applauded the International Criminal Court’s confirmation of charges against detained former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a step toward long-delayed accountability.

The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber confirmed charges of crimes against humanity of murder linked to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, paving the way for trial.

Karapatan described the development as both a milestone and a sobering moment for victims.

“The International Criminal Court’s confirmation of murder and attempted charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte is the most recent vindication of the Filipino people’s efforts to uphold and pursue justice and accountability for the killings of thousands under Duterte’s bloody regime,” the group said.

It added that the ruling underscores the scale of loss suffered by victims’ families.

“This victory though is bittersweet. The thousands of lives taken by those who spit on human dignity cannot be brought back,” Karapatan said.

Calls for swift trial

Lawyers and advocates said the focus now shifts to ensuring victims can participate meaningfully in the proceedings.

ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti, who said it was right that the case was raised to the tribunal, urged preparations for the next phase of the case.

“Dapat maghanda ang mga biktima ngayon para sa kanilang partisipasyon. Dapat itulak ang mabilis na paglilitis para malaman na ang buong katotohanan sa malagim na mga pangyayari noong nakaupo ang mga Duterte sa Davao, at sa Malacañang,” Conti said in a statement. 

(Victims must prepare now for their participation. A speedy trial must be pushed so that the full truth behind the grim events that occurred while the Dutertes were in power in Davao and Malacañang can finally be revealed.)

Rep. Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal Partylist), a long-time critic of the Duterte, remarked that while the "wheels of justice" have taken far too long to turn, the confirmation remains a significant victory for the rule of law.

“This is still a great day for the fighters against impunity and state-sponsored violence. Tagumpay rin ito para sa pamilya ng mga biktima, sa mga naulila na matagal nang naghahangad ng hustisya. Today we celebrate even as we grieve for those we lost to Duterte’s madness,” De Lima said. 

(This is still a great day for the fighters against impunity and state-sponsored violence. It is a victory for the families of the victims who have long sought justice. Today we celebrate even as we grieve for those we lost to Duterte’s madness.)

Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, acting as counsel for the victims, expressed satisfaction that a formal trial will now ensue. 

He noted that the families of those killed nearly a decade ago have endured years of frustration as the former president used procedural challenges to delay the proceedings — motions he noted the ICC accommodated to respect due process.

“We hope the ICC will now immediately constitute the Trial Chamber so that the trial proper can start soon,” Colmenares said

“We as counsels to the victims are prepared to support the prosecution of Pres. Duterte especially since the families of the victims are the main aggrieved parties and the witnesses to the atrocity crimes committed during Pres. Duterte’s drug war,” he added. 

The ICC confirmed the charges on April 23 (Manila time), covering killings during Duterte’s tenure as Davao City mayor and later as president.