Day 2 of ICC hearings draw mixed emotions from drug war victims, Duterte supporters

THE HAGUE – As the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) confirmation of charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte entered its second day, the families of the alleged victims of his drug war expressed renewed hope for justice as the proceedings moved forward.

Jessica Albeos, the sister of a drug war victim, said the proceedings gave them a sense of justice that has been long denied.

“Mensahe ko lang sana mabigyan ng justice ang pinagagawa nya, ayoko siyang bigyan ng mensahe kasi wala syang karapatan. Kahit sino walang karapatan na pumatay. Ginawa lang nilang collateral yung mga mahihirap,” Albeos said.

(My message is, I wish there will be justice for the things he did. I don’t want to give him a message because he had no right. No one has the right to kill. They made collateral out of the poor.)

Jessica Albeos, sister of a drug war victim, on Day 2 of the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmation of charges hearings against former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. (Photo by Sophia Balod-Lorenzo)

On Monday, the first day of the confirmation of charges hearings, the drug war victims’ kin gathered for a watch-viewing party in The Hague.

Their emotions ran high as they listened to the defense present their arguments for Duterte’s innocence.

“Marami nagsasabi na hindi sya masama, pero andyan nakalapag ang mga ginawa nya. Nandyan ang ebidensya, bakit ka mabubulag-bulagan? Naiyak ako sa ginawa ng iba na pinagtatanggol pa nila,” Albeos said.

(Many are saying that he is not bad. But what he did are now on the table. The evidence is there. Why will you play blind? I shed tears at how others even defend him.)

Outside the court, a contrasting scene unfolded.

Despite rainy weather in the Netherlands, supporters of the 80-year-old Duterte continued to assemble in front of the ICC to express their support for their “Tatay Digong.”

Ernie Pineda, a Duterte supporter, rejected criticisms against the former President and credited him with bringing change during his term as President.

“Hindi ko matanggap ang pananalita nila. Noong Presidente siya, maraming pagbabago,” Pineda said.

(I cannot accept what they are saying. When he was President, there were many changes.)

Asked if Duterte should be held accountable for the alleged extrajudicial killings, Pineda said the former Chief Executive was not directly responsible.

“He is the President and he is here to implement the law. Kung siya ang nag-utos pero hindi naman siya ang gumawa,” Pineda said.

(He is the President and he is here to implement the law. If he issued the order but he was not the one who carried it out.)

Duterte also gained support from overseas Filipinos, such as Mel Soriaga, who traveled more than 30 hours from New Zealand to the Netherlands for the confirmation of charges hearings.

“Hindi ako nanghihinayang kasi gusto ipakita na todo suporta ako kay Tatay dahil na-appreciate ko ang nagawa ni Tatay sa Pilipinas. Masaya ako na nakarating dito. Umaasa po ako na makakalaya siya,” Soriaga said.

(I do not regret it because I want to show my full support for Tatay. I appreciated what he did for the Philippines. I am happy to be here. I hope he will be freed.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News