House Committee on Human Rights Chairperson and Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. has welcomed news that more than 300 alleged victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war have asked to be recognized in the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings.
Abante said these individuals would also receive protection should they decide to testify before the revived House Quad Committee.
“Ipapatawag namin ‘yan, if they’re open enough to testify. Why not? I mean that is what we have been looking for quite a long time,” Abante said. “Mayroon na tayong Quad Comm dito, at andito naman kami para protektahan ang mga biktima. It’s high time for them to come. And we can assure them, kung anuman ang kanilang sasabihin sa hearing na ‘yan, we could be able to give them protection.”
The lawmaker stressed that many victims had previously been too afraid to speak out, fearing possible retaliation from police linked to the bloody campaign. He expressed relief that hundreds are now willing to come forward. “Kung meron mga 300 na ganyan, mabuti ‘yan,” he added.
The ICC Registry earlier confirmed receiving over 300 applications from individuals seeking recognition as victims in the case. Duterte was arrested on March 11 after arriving from Hong Kong, following an ICC warrant that accused him of creating, funding, and arming death squads responsible for widespread killings.
Now 80 years old, Duterte was transferred to The Hague on the same day of his arrest. He appeared via video link before ICC judges on March 14 and is scheduled for a September 23 hearing, where charges against him will be formally evaluated.
