Some 303 individuals have requested recognition from the International Criminal Court (ICC) as victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
The applicants are seeking justice for the alleged human rights violations and extrajudicial killings that occurred during the previous administration.
The confirmation of charges hearing in the case for crimes against humanity for murder against Duterte is scheduled on September 23, 2025.
“Against this background, the VPRS (Victims Participation and Reparations Section) received 303 application forms—a limited figure compared to the number of drug war victims who wish to participate in the case,” the report said.
It stated that the victims are deeply committed to the pursuit of justice, as shown by their active participation in all previous proceedings, and most of them are willing to retell their stories in application forms to contribute meaningfully to the proceedings.
“However, this willingness is predicated on the understanding that their efforts will not be in vain.”
The ICC Registry said the VPRS has been working to inform and assist victims, particularly those who were previously involved in earlier court proceedings.
The Philippine National Police reported more than 6,000 deaths in anti-drug operations, while human rights organizations estimated the death toll to be around 12,000.
Earlier this week, Duterte, through his legal counsel, reiterated his request to the ICC for an interim release to an undisclosed country “subject to any conditions deemed appropriate.
“For the sake of clarity, the Defense informs the Pre-Trial Chamber that the [REDACTED] continues to affirm its willingness to cooperate with the Court, to accept Mr. Duterte onto its territory, and to enforce conditions of release. The [REDACTED] is, furthermore, fully aware of Mr. Duterte’s [REDACTED],” according to the heavily redacted document submitted by Nicholas Kaufman, the former leader’s counsel, to the Pre-Trial Chamber dated August 19, 2025.
It added that “all the Prosecution’s objections to the [REDACTED] serving as a receiving country for the purposes of interim release are either negligible or negotiable.”
“Should the Prosecution be permitted to challenge the aforementioned and [REDACTED], resolving the issue of [REDACTED] could take several months or more, especially if other [REDACTED] are [REDACTED]. Mr. Duterte’s continued detention during this protracted process would not be fair or reasonable.”
In June this year, Duterte’s lawyer asked the ICC that he be released to an undisclosed country, which has reportedly agreed to take him. The request, signed by Kaufman, also said that the prosecution has confirmed its non-opposition to the former president’s interim release to the country.
But last month, Duterte’s lawyers asked the ICC’s pre-trial chamber to suspend its ruling on their petition for interim release “until such time as the Defense has assembled all information necessary.”
