FAMILIES of extrajudicial killings (EJK) victims are encouraged to file complaints while the International Criminal Court (ICC) pre-trial hearing of former President Rodrigo Duterte is ongoing at The Hague in the Netherlands.
Neri Colmenares, a human rights lawyer who served as a Bayan Muna Party-list congressman for nine years, made the call during a press conference on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Cebu City.
Sixteen families from Metro Cebu have already filed their complaints with the ICC through the Rise Up for Life and Rights organization.
He said more complaints would strengthen the prosecution against Duterte.
“Mas maganda if marami kasi (It’s better if there are more because) that will further prove the case,” he said, adding that if there are at least five strong cases out of 100 that would already be sufficient.
Colmenares pointed out that complaints must be filed before the confirmation of charges hearing, which has been set for Sept. 23.
This procedure determines whether there is enough evidence to support substantial grounds for a trial. If confirmed, the case will formally proceed to trial.
Colmenares said that when they heard of Duterte’s arrest on March 12, families of EJK victims were joyful.
“Malaking kasiyahan sa pamilya na at last natuloy ang hearing ni President Duterte kagabi. Matagal na nilang hinihingi yan,” said Colmenares.
(It is a great joy for the family that, at last, President Duterte’s hearing finally pushed through last night. They have been requesting it for a long time.)
However, the arrest has sparked a divide among Duterte supporters and critics. Many questioned why Duterte was surrendered to the ICC despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the tribunal in 2018.
Colmenares clarified that the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed before the withdrawal took effect in March 2019, covering incidents from November 2011 to March 2019.
He said families who filed complaints with the ICC against the former president could not be blamed since they themselves are seeking justice.
“Hindi mo masisi ang pamilya na pumunta sa ICC dahil naghahanap sila ng hustisya para sa mga anak nila at hindi binibigay dito,” he said.
(You can’t blame the families for going to the ICC because they are seeking justice for their children, which was not given to them here.)
Colmenares said family of the EJK victims are hoping for the court to confirm the charges pressed against Duterte so he would become the first Asian to be convicted in the ICC.
An issue of justice, not of politics
Colmenares dismissed speculations that the case is politically motivated, saying the legal battle is between Duterte and the EJK victims, not between the former president and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Kung may dahilan mang politika si Bongbong Marcos para ipahuli si Duterte, problema nila yun, dalawa silang mag-usap dun,” he said.
(If Bongbong Marcos has a political reason for having Duterte arrested, that’s their problem. They should talk it out between themselves.)
“As far as the victims are concerned, wala kaming issue na politika dito. Issue ito ng paghahanap ng katarungan sa mga kaanak nila na walang awing pinaslang sa panahon ni Duterte (We have no political issue here. This is about seeking justice for their relatives who were mercilessly killed during Duterte’s time),” he added.
When asked if families of EJK victims were assured of a case victory, Colmenares said that there was none. However, he hopes for the court to consider a forum for the families of EJK victims to let them discuss their stories and sentiments.
“It doesnt matter pro-Duterte, Marcos, or Leni ka man. Lahat tayo dapat sasang-ayon na bigyan natin ng forum, sana at the very least na agree ka sa pamilya,” he said.
(It doesn’t matter whether you are pro-Duterte, Marcos, or Leni. We should all agree to at least provide a forum, and hopefully, you can at least agree with the families on that.)
“Ang desisyon ng ICC, hindi natin alam yan, pero at least may forum para marinig ang mga kwento na matagal na kini-keep ng pamilya,” he added.
(We don’t know what the ICC’s decision will be, but at least there is a forum where the families’ long-kept stories can finally be heard.) (JPS)