Victims denounce 'coward' Duterte as ICC pre-trial hearings begin | ABS-CBN News

Описание: Dozens of activists protested outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague, on Monday (February 23), as pre-trial hearings started against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of alleged crimes against humanity.

Sheerah Escudero, a 29-years-old resident of Manilla who travelled all the way from the Philippines to attend the hearings, called Duterte a "a coward for choosing not to show up in front of the families of victims."

Duterte is held at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention centre since March 2025 and last week judges granted his request to waive his right to attend the hearings.

"I hope, and I am quite confident, that the charges of murder and attempted murder will be confirmed", human rights activist Cristina Palabay told Reuters outside the ICC building. She deplored however that the case still hasn't moved to trial. "Justice delayed is justice denied. Our frustrations have run dry", she said. "The hope for justice keeps us going. I mean, there's no, there's no, there's no other way."

Duterte served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and was arrested and taken to The Hague last March.

According to ICC prosecutors, Duterte created, funded and armed death squads during his war on drugs when thousands of alleged narcotics peddlers and users were killed.

Duterte has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defense and has always defended the crackdown.

According to police, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations under Duterte's presidency. But activists say the real toll was far higher and the ICC prosecutor has said as many as 30,000 people may have died.

(Production: Bart Biesemans)

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