FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On the remarks of some senators that EJK cases should be tried in PH

[KARAPATAN Public Information]

On the remarks of some senators that EJK cases should be tried in PH
18 February 2026

For years and amid all barriers to access justice, families of victims of extrajudicial killings have pursued all domestic mechanisms to go after perpetrators in the Philippines. Despite the thousands of victims in Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, only a few were investigated and a handful reached the courts.

The justice system in the Philippines has failed the victims, over and over again. Former Justice Department secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla himself said that the local justice system is weak to prosecute Rodrigo Duterte.

Filing charges at the International Criminal Court is the victims' last recourse in seeking justice. They have all the right and reason to hold accountable those who stripped them of the right to due process, to life and to rights.

We can only hope that the senators know that in supporting the victims, it is important to discern the accountability of those who were accessory to and with direct involvement in the mass murder of Filipinos during the time of Duterte, including their own colleagues.

Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831

KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580

Note: This is the official and updated statement of Karapatan on the said issue. Please disregard the previous message. Thank you.

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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties.  It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.  It was established in 1995.