Families of drug war victims expressed relief and hope for justice following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte during a press conference at the UCCP Chapel in Quezon City on March 12, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Drug war victims should pursue local cases against “small fry” officials involved in the extrajudicial killing of civilians during the Duterte administration’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs, a legal expert said on Wednesday.

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While former President Rodrigo Duterte — the alleged mastermind of the alleged systematic killings of drug suspects — has been brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands, his underlings should also face charges in local courts, said Kristina Conti of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL).

“I would recommend filing charges against the ‘small fry’ because that is how the ICC envisions its role,” she told state television PTV.

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“Ang ICC, doon siya sa mga pinakamatataas, kasi baka hindi na kayanin or walang oportunidad sa lokal na jurisdiction, pero bukas na bukas pa rin ang domestic courts ay mag-entertain ng katulad ng mga charges at doon sa mismong kumalabit ng gatilyo o kaya doon sa mga chief of police o kaya doon sa mga—para komprehensibo iyong hustiyang matanggap,” she said.

Duterte has been detained in the Scheveningen detention facility since last week, after the ICC ordered for his arrest over charges of crimes against humanity linked to his bloody drug war. 

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The ICC has yet to say if it would also issue arrest warrants against Duterte’s co-accused, including former Philippine National Police chiefs Ronald Dela Rosa and Oscar Albayalde.

More than 6,000 suspected drug personalities were killed during Duterte's drug war, according to official figures. But human rights groups estimate that the toll could be as high as 30,000.

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