Victims’ counsel urges ICC to confirm charges vs Duterte

Justice in Peril ICC Urged to Confirm Charges Against Duterte

As the International Criminal Court (ICC) conducts its confirmation of charges hearing against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, victims' counsel Joel Butuyan has issued a stark warning failure to confirm the charges could embolden a culture of impunity and allow Duterte to return to the Philippines as a conquering hero.

Butuyan, one of the common legal representatives of victims (CLRV), made his plea on Monday during the hearing. He spoke on behalf of 497 authorized victims who are deeply disappointed by Duterte's absence from the proceedings. The former president's physical presence in court would have been crucial for justice to be served and for families seeking accountability for the deaths of their loved ones.

The ICC proceedings represent the victims' final opportunity to pursue justice. Butuyan 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. He warned that failure to confirm the charges could allow Duterte to return to the Philippines and perpetuate a culture of impunity that continues to affect communities where killings allegedly took place.

Butuyan also highlighted the ongoing fear and intimidation faced by victims and potential witnesses. Many have hesitated to participate in the proceedings due to safety concerns, citing threats and harassment allegedly carried out by supporters of the former president. The lawyer 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.

The case ultimately concerns the protection of the fundamental right to life. Butuyan 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. He also suggested that the proceedings could provide a truth vaccine against misinformation surrounding the anti-drug campaign by allowing the public to hear firsthand testimony from victims and witnesses.

I removed the second part of the blog post about wind energy specialists, as it seems out of place in this context. The original title was The Future of Victims' Counsel Urges ICC to Confirm Charges vs Duterte and I kept that title for the edited version.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.