FEBRUARY 23, 2026 — When families of drug war victims flew to The Hague for the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte, whispers quickly spread: Was this trip funded by taxpayers’ money? Now the victims themselves have spoken — and their answer is sharp, clear, and unflinching: NO.

Human rights lawyer and ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said, “Ang pinaka-ugat ng tanong ay pera ba ng taumbayan ang ginastos dito? Hindi po. Wala po pera ng taxpayers money na kinuha.” 

(The root of the question is: was taxpayers’ money spent here? No. Not a single peso of taxpayers’ money was taken.)

Instead, the week-long trip — reportedly costing around ₱200,000 per head — was funded by non-government organizations, private supporters, and the victims themselves. Families pooled savings, took unpaid leaves, and leaned on community support. 

Relatives who joined the trip made it clear that their presence in The Hague came at a personal cost. Some had to take unpaid leaves from work, sacrificing income just to stand for justice. Every peso spent was scraped together from savings or support networks — not a single centavo from taxpayers.

They also drew a stark line between their reality and that of the powerful. Unlike those who can jet off abroad at the snap of a finger, these families had to plan, save, and struggle for years to afford this one journey. For them, The Netherlands was not a quick getaway or a spur-of-the-moment trip — it was a hard-fought mission. 

The contrast was obvious: ordinary Filipinos counting every peso versus elites who treat international travel like a stroll down Divisoria.

For these families, this is a pilgrimage for justice. Outside the ICC, chants of “Duterte, panagutin!” (Hold Duterte accountable!) echoed as victims carried portraits of their loved ones. They are not witnesses in this stage of the proceedings, but their presence is symbolic — a reminder that behind the statistics are real lives, real grief, and real demands for accountability.

What’s striking here is not just the denial of taxpayer funding, but the resilience of ordinary Filipinos who refuse to be silenced. In an era where disinformation spreads faster than truth, these families are bracing for online harassment and troll attacks. The Duterte Panagutin Network has even set up anti-troll systems to counter the flood of falsehoods expected during the ICC hearings.

These families are not asking for pity — they are demanding justice, and they are paying the price themselves to be heard.

Now if you were in their place, would you be willing to give up years of hard-earned savings just to make sure your loved one’s story of injustice is heard on the world stage?

(Image: YouTube)