MANILA, Philippines—Filipino human rights lawyer Joel Butuyan, one of the common legal representatives of victims (CLRV), urged judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to confirm the charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte, warning that victims of alleged extrajudicial killings have no remaining avenue for justice within the Philippine legal system.
In his opening remarks during the confirmation of charges hearing on Monday, Butuyan conveyed the views of 497 victims authorized to participate in the proceedings, expressing what he described as their “very deep disappointment” over Duterte’s absence from the current stage of the case.
He said the former president’s physical presence in court to face the charges would have been a “vital component of justice” for families seeking accountability for the deaths of their loved ones.
Butuyan told the chamber that the ICC proceedings represent the victims’ final opportunity to pursue justice, citing public statements made months earlier by former justice secretary and now Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla acknowledging the difficulty of prosecuting drug war-related killings for lack of evidence, documentation, and witness cooperation.
He noted that under Philippine law, criminal complaints must be initiated by either the Department of Justice or the Office of the Ombudsman, both of which he described as key institutional gatekeepers.
The victims, he said, fear that failure to confirm the charges could allow Duterte to return to the Philippines “as a conquering hero,” potentially emboldening what he characterized as a culture of impunity that continues to affect communities where killings allegedly took place.
Despite Duterte’s detention in The Hague for nearly a year, Butuyan said victims remain in constant fear, citing threats and harassment allegedly carried out by supporters of the former president. He added that many potential witnesses have hesitated to participate in the proceedings for safety concerns.
Butuyan also pointed to the continued political influence of the Duterte family, noting that Vice President Sara Duterte is preparing for a presidential run in 2028, while other family members hold elective posts in Davao City.
The lawyer argued that confirming the charges would allow witnesses to testify and evidence to be presented in open court, helping establish a historical record of the anti-drug campaign and its alleged human rights violations.
Butuyan maintained that the proceedings could provide what he called a “truth vaccine” against misinformation surrounding the anti-drug campaign by allowing the public to hear firsthand testimony from victims and witnesses.
He urged the chamber to reaffirm the ICC’s mandate under the Rome Statute to prosecute grave crimes and prevent future atrocities by confirming all charges against Duterte, saying that the case ultimately concerns the protection of the fundamental right to life.