On the second day of the International Criminal Court hearing, families of drug war victims stated that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s words incited killings. They echoed the prosecution’s argument linking his statements to rising death tolls. Official records show at least 6,000 killed in anti-drug operations.
In The Hague, Netherlands, on February 24, 2026, the second day of the confirmation of charges hearing against Rodrigo Duterte proceeded, concerning crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder from 2011 to 2019. The prosecution presented evidence through videos and testimonies detailing the drug war's implementation in Davao City during Duterte's time as mayor and nationwide after his 2016 presidency.
A key ICC prosecution argument was that deaths increased whenever Duterte ordered killings. They highlighted a 590% spike in police killings during the drug war, targeting the poor as they were least likely to file complaints against police.
From the Rise Up for Life and For Rights network, victims' families shared their accounts. Llore Pasco, who lost two sons in 2017, said, "His words killed our loved ones. He repeatedly ordered the wiping out of drug addicts, and he promised protection to the police involved in the killings." Pasco, attending in The Hague, described a clip of Duterte joking about killing as chilling.
Emily Soriano, who lost her 15-year-old brother Angelito in an anti-drug operation, grew emotional hearing the prosecution describe two children killed with their heads wrapped in packaging tape. Though painful to relive, she was glad the world was hearing their stories.
Meanwhile, retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio stated that local investigations face obstacles due to missing evidence like police reports and witness intimidation from Duterte's camp influence. No cases have been filed against drug war implementers in the Philippines.
The hearing began on February 23 and concludes on February 27, with Duterte absent as he does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction. The prosecution demonstrated a state policy inciting widespread and systematic attacks on civilians, with Duterte's knowledge. It covers 49 incidents and 76-78 victims, with 539 participating victims.
