Families of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) turn emotional as they watch the live streaming of the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber rejecting the appeal of the defense team for the interim release of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, at the UP College of Law in Quezon City on November 28, 2025. Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, by Interpol following an ICC warrant charging him with crimes against humanity related to the Philippine drug war. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Families of alleged extrajudicial killing victims during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, along with human rights groups, welcomed the International Criminal Court's decision to dismiss a last-minute attempt by his camp to remove the lawyers representing them.
In a decision issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I on February 20, the court allowed lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres to continue serving as legal counsel for the victims of extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
This after the defense filed a motion on February 11, seeking to revoke the appointment of the two lawyers “on the grounds of an impediment to representation and, in the alternative, on the basis of a conflict of interest,” citing provisions of the ICC’s Code of Professional Conduct.
However, the ICC ruled that “...the Chamber finds that the Defence’s alternative arguments do not demonstrate the existence of a conflict of interest regarding Mr Butuyan and Mr Andres within the meaning of article 16 of the Code.”
As a result, the court dismissed the defense’s request to invalidate the appointment of the two lawyers.
Relatives of the victims welcomed the development and the progress of the proceedings against the former president.
“Kahit po papaano nagkaroon kami ng kaunting pag-asa na mabibigyan ng hustisya ang asawa ko at iba pang pamilya sa wakas umuusad po yun aming isinubmit na report sa nangyayaring patayan dito sa Pilipinas,” said Jane Lee, wife of Michael Lee, one of the extrajudicial killing victims.
For Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, the start of Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing sends an important message.
“It also reminds the international community that nobody is above the law, no matter the ferocity of attacks, sanctions and threats aimed at the ICC from some world leaders,” Callamard said.
Callamard used to be the United Nations special rapporteur during the Duterte administration to conduct probe on the EJKs in the country. She had also been at the center of expletives from Duterte during his term.
The confirmation of charges hearing is expected to run for four days, from February 23 to February 27, during which judges will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to move the case forward to trial.
“This hearing is not a trial, it's a pretrial hearing,” clarified ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet in a primer video released on Saturday, February 21.
Carlos Conde, former senior researcher of Human Rights Watch, believed the defense will face significant challenges during the said pre-trial.
“Overwhelming ang evidence. Mahihirapan na siyang depensahan ang sarili niya… Medyo mahigpit dito, kontrolado ng ICC ang procedure, hindi pwede rito yung drama-drama,” he said in a DZMM interview.
The ICC has previously allowed Duterte to skip the confirmation of charges hearing.
After the pre-trial phase, judges will have 60 days to review the evidence and decide whether the case against Duterte will proceed to full trial.
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