Duterte trial begins: How our partners took a dictator to court
11.11.11Partners Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) and iDefend were on the frontlines for years in the fight against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody "war on drugs." With the opening of the hearings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on February 23, 2026, it is becoming clear how crucial their sustained work of documentation, protection, and international advocacy has been.
What is happening today in The Hague began years ago in the poor neighborhoods of Davao and Manila (Philippines) - with mothers who lost their sons, with neighbors who heard shots at night, and fortunately also with local organizations that decided to record everything.
What did Duterte do in his 'war on drugs'?
When Duterte became president in July 2016, he made the the fight against drugs is an absolute priorityThis is how the killings began. Duterte openly called on police and citizens to eliminate "drug suspects" and promised protection to officers who used force.
It gave free rein for police officers and unknown shooters – the so-called "death squads" – to use extrajudicial violence. Police raided homes without warrants, arrested people who were later found dead, and planted false evidence to justify deadly force.
Van de tens of thousands of victims Of those who fell, the majority were poor, unarmed, and often minors. Only a handful of cases ever resulted in convictions—all of them involving low-ranking officers.
This pattern was not new. Even during Duterte's term as mayor of Davao, killings were linked to the infamous "Davao Death Squad." According to ICC prosecutors, these facts together constitute a systematic attack on the civilian population—and thus potentially crimes against humanity.
PAHRA: Documenting When No One Is Watching
From the beginning, NGOs such as 11.11.11-partner PAHRA that this wave of violence would not stop on its own, and that justice would be impossible without evidence.
Aurora Parong, Vice President of PAHRA, remembers how quickly it became clear that immediate action was needed. They then went into the neighborhoods to:
- To verify and document murders
- Safely archive testimonials
- Supporting families in filing complaints
It was dangerous work. Duterte accused us and human rights defenders of "protecting criminals." Families were traumatized and fearful of revenge. Yet, we continued to systematically collect data.
That proved decisive.
Because when the Philippines' national justice system failed, the ICC issued an arrest warrant in March 2025 against Duterte. A few days later, the former president was arrested at the request of Interpol.
Gian Miko Arabejo from 11.11.11-partner iDefend emphasizes that the arrest was a moment of relief for thousands of families. "Many long thought justice was unthinkable. For the first time, they dare to hope."
But he also warns"Duterte is not solely responsible. The gunmen who carried out the killings, police officers, hired vigilantes, and local accomplices remain largely unscathed. The culture of impunity within the police and judiciary hasn't simply disappeared in the Philippines."
The ICC process is therefore not an end point, but it is an important step.
For a long time, many thought justice was unthinkable. For the first time, they dare to hope.
Justice built on courage
Behind every page of the ICC file lies a family from a poor neighborhood who – often only after months or years – were willing to reopen deep wounds so that their testimony could be heard. Many witnesses still live under threat. However, some of them are willing to travel to The Hague for the ICC hearings, assisted by Filipino lawyers.
The hearings now starting are not yet a trial, but rather a so-called confirmation of the charges. The judges will decide within sixty days whether the case will actually proceed to trial.
Nothing can bring back the thousands of deaths. But this process can restore something fundamental: the principle that every life deserves protection under the law. The Philippine experience offers a practical guide to combating impunity worldwide.
Attorney Joel Butuyan, who represents victims in the ICC process, sums it up:
Document, document, document. No matter how hopeless it seems, never stop documenting crimes. Sooner or later, there will be an opportunity for prosecution and reparation.
Whatever the judges in The Hague decide, one fact is certain: without the tenacity of organizations like PAHRA and iDefend, and without the courage of families who refused to remain silent, this case would never have happened. They refused to accept impunity as the new normal. And that's where justice begins.
Support the work of our partners
PAHRA and iDefend are closely monitoring the legal proceedings and will continue to protect and support the victims' families. They will continue to fight for justice. Your donation will support their work.
