The Manila Times
A GROUP of Filipinos in the Netherlands has welcomed the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to set Nov. 30, 2026, as the trial date for former president Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity related to his bloody drug war. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Panagutin Network-Netherlands said it is an “important step toward justice for the thousands of victims of the so-called ‘war on drugs’ and their families.” “We recognize that this moment carries deep meaning for communities in the Philippines and in the diaspora who have consistently organized, documented abuses, and demanded justice despite intimidation and repression. The ICC process alone cannot fully heal the wounds left by the drug war and the extrajudicial killings that continue to this day, but it is a crucial acknowledgment of the scale and seriousness of the violations committed by Duterte and his cohorts,” it added. Panagutin said justice must not end with the trial of Duterte alone, noting the structures and networks that enabled and implemented these killings, including police chains of command and political enablers, must also be held to account. It urged authorities to arrest and prosecute all co-perpetrators, including fugitive Sen. Ronald dela Rosa. Panagutin called on Filipinos not only in the Netherlands, but all across Europe to mobilize and rally before Duterte’s trial starts. “This upcoming trial date is not only a legal milestone for the Filipino people and the families of drug war victims, but also a political and moral moment for all those who continue to seek justice for the victims of the drug war. We encourage collective actions, solidarity gatherings, and sustained campaigning in the lead-up to the trial to ensure that the voices of victims and their families are heard and that demands for accountability remain visible and strong,” the group said. The ICC, in a status conference on Wednesday, confirmed that the trial of Duterte is set to start on Nov. 30, 2026, with two more status conferences in the tribunal in the coming months.
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