Human rights advocates have called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to keep former President Rodrigo Duterte in detention, citing a surge in online harassment and hate campaigns targeting families of extrajudicial killings’ (EJK) victims and witnesses.
Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a group advocating for justice for drug war victims, warned that Duterte’s continued influence and the actions of his supporters pose serious threats to those seeking accountability.
“The volume of these incidents [is] incontrovertible evidence that Rodrigo Duterte, himself and the hate and violent culture he enables, is still a threat to victims who dare to speak up or testify,” said Rise Up coordinator Rubylin Litao on Monday.
The group expressed concerns that releasing Duterte could embolden his supporters and increase the risk of harm to victims, witnesses, and even judicial officials involved in the ICC proceedings.
“His penchant for revenge is strong. His record shows his propensity to incite people to take revenge and inflict violence, and, sadly, this has seeped into the minds and behaviors of many,” Litao added.
Rise Up reported an escalation in online efforts to discredit victims’ families, spread misinformation, and intimidate those pushing for justice. Even ICC judges have reportedly been subjected to character attacks linked to pro-Duterte networks.
“Such unreasonable strong-arm tactics must be rooted out, and the ICC, we respectfully submit, must not give him any opportunity to fan the flames by allowing release,” Litao said, referring to the possible application of Duterte and his legal team for interim release.
Human rights lawyer and registered ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti, explained the potential legal implications of the ‘bullying’ behavior of Duterte’s fan base against the EJK victims’ relatives to his potential appeal for interim release.
She noted that under Article 70 of the Rome Statute, offenses against the administration of justice—including threats, intimidation, or retaliation against witnesses and court officials—can lead to additional charges.
In a Facebook post, Conti said the ICC is well aware of the risks posed to witnesses, victims, and even its own officials. Any harassment, especially those linked to Duterte or his network, could strengthen the case against him and even result in new charges.
“If many believe that due process can be disregarded as long as those labeled as ‘scourges of society’ are eliminated, this proves that the attacks are systematic. These are the very elements that establish crimes against humanity,” she said in Filipino.
Conti emphasized that the ongoing climate of intimidation only strengthens the need for the former leader’s continued detention, as allowing Duterte interim release could interfere with the judicial process.
Rise Up reiterated its call for the Philippines to rejoin the ICC and urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support the court’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during Duterte’s war on drugs.
“Thousands of families who had loved ones killed in the so-called ‘war on drugs’ are praying for justice. As a society, we need to help them come forward and speak for the truth,” Rise Up said in its statement.