Families of victims of alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration expressed optimism that the International Criminal Court (ICC) will push through with the confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the year ends.
Atty. Gilbert Andres, one of the legal counsels representing the victims’ families and an ICC-accredited lawyer, said the families felt “relieved” after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected Duterte’s bid for interim release.
“Relieved po sila at nag-uumapaw pong pasasalamat kasi talagang nafi-feel po nila ‘yung mga security risks ano dun sa kanilang mga komunidad. Kaya talagang they welcome po itong pag-deny ng application for interim release,” Andres told DZMM on Friday, October 10.
The lawyer added that while it may be premature to expect a hearing within the month, the victims’ families remain hopeful it will take place before the end of 2025.
“Pinapanalangin nila na sana matuloy na po ang confirmation of charges [hearing]. Sana maging mala Paskong handog na po ito,” he said.
For the families, Duterte is fit to stand trial—citing previous remarks by Vice President Sara Duterte as proof of the former president’s sound condition.
“Kinakausap pa nga siya ni VP Sara ‘di ba? Mga previous statements ‘OK naman siya, nag-usap sa love life, politika, at flood control,’” Andres noted.
The Duterte family and their lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, have said they plan to appeal the ICC’s decision denying the interim release request.
