From Ang Bayan: Groups Demand Justice For Victims At Duterte’s First Appearance Before ICC
Ang Bayan Ngayon | March 16, 2025
Hundreds gathered in the Philippines and abroad to call for justice for victims of the fake war on drugs on March 14, hours before Rodrigo Duterte appeared for the first time at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to have the charges filed against him read in his presence.
In Metro Manila, the Black Friday Protest was held simultaneously on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City and Taft Avenue in Manila. Protesters called to “Imprison Duterte!” and “Convict Duterte Now” when the ICC already has the former president in custody. They also called for justice for activists and human rights defenders killed during Duterte’s time.
By nightfall, victims’ families gathered at the National Council of Churches in the Philippines to collectively watch Duterte’s court appearance. A gathering was also held in Cebu led by BAYAN Central Visayas and Rise Up Cebu.
In The Netherlands itself, members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Europe, Migrante Europe, Gabriela, and Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle gathered in front of the ICC in The Hague to call for Duterte’s conviction. They also greeted Duterte with a protest when he was first brought to jail on March 11.
They noted Duterte’s arrest complying with due process, in contrast to the case of thousands of victims of his drug war who were simply killed. They also saluted the families of the victims for their courage to join in the “historic step” towards achieving justice.
In the US, Filipinos gathered in 10 cities simultaneously with the Black Friday Protest in the Philippines. There were actions in front of Philippine consulates in Los Angeles, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C. and Chicago. The gatherings were led by Bayan-USA and Malaya Movement.
They condemned the Philippine consulate in The Netherlands for its “double standard” when it scrambled to provide assistance to Duterte upon his arrival there. They said Duterte is in the country to be tried for his crimes. He is a war criminal from one of the most powerful and wealthy dynasties in the Philippines.
“Those who really need help (from the consulate) are the families of more than 30,000 people killed by Duterte in his drug war,” Bayan USA stated. As well as Mary Jane Veloso and the Roque family in Southern California who had to wait a whole year to receive assistance from the Philippine consulate, it said.
First Appearance
Duterte’s first court appearance was to identify him, inform him of the case filed against him and his rights as a suspect. He faced three judges of Pretrial Chamber 1 who also signed his arrest warrant. In this warrant dated March 7, the court laid out the case of crimes against humanity, particularly murder. The warrant covered murder cases from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019.
At this hearing, the court clarified that the process of serving the warrant and bringing Duterte to The Netherlands was correct. It refuted that “kidnapping” had occurred, and Duterte’s arrest in the Philippines was carried out in accordance with the cooperation of the Philippine government with Interpol. The court also clarified that Duterte is in good condition in detention, and he is “aware” of all steps being taken by the court. He was also seen by a doctor, in accordance with his rights as a detainee. His family also has access to him, particularly VP Sara Duterte who followed to The Netherlands a day after her father was brought there.
The court set the next hearing on September 23, 2025 to give Duterte’s camp time to prepare.
Source : https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/groups-demand-justice-for-victims-at-dutertes-first-appearance-before-icc/