THE HAGUE — As former President Rodrigo Duterte marked his 80th birthday behind bars at the International Criminal Court (ICC), anti-Duterte organizations across Europe launched a new coalition pushing for accountability over the alleged human rights violations during his term.
The alliance, called the Duterte Panagutin Europe Network, held a candlelight event in The Hague to honor the thousands of victims of the drug war. Their launch was deliberately timed with Duterte’s birthday, drawing attention to what they described as a life celebrated while countless others were cut short.
“This day is symbolic—Duterte lives to see 80, but many victims of his policies never will,” said Mira Cruz-van Dijk, whose relatives were killed during the drug war.
The alliance called on Filipinos and human rights allies across Europe to join the movement. “Justice must not be delayed, and the truth cannot be erased,” said Lean Jimenez of Bayan Europe.
Speakers at the event, including Germany-based convenor Joey Sison, emphasized that Duterte’s arrest is only the beginning. “True justice requires dismantling the system that enabled the killings and silencing of journalists, activists, and the poor,” Sison said.
The group also criticized the Marcos administration for refusing to cooperate with the ICC and urged it to re-engage with the tribunal.
Adding a visual statement, Filipino artist Victor Cantal unveiled “The Theater of Terror”—a painting symbolizing the suffering of poor communities during Duterte’s war on drugs. “This is a reminder that Duterte’s reign of terror is not just history—it’s a present threat being whitewashed by disinformation,” he said.
Duterte, currently detained in The Hague, previously admitted responsibility for the deadly drug campaign, claiming it was necessary to ensure peace and order in the Philippines.