More arrest warrants linked to the Duterte administration’s deadly war on drugs could be on the horizon, according to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV. In a recent interview, Trillanes said that efforts to hold additional figures accountable at the International Criminal Court (ICC) are gaining traction and may bear fruit by the end of the year or early 2026.
Trillanes, a vocal critic of former president Rodrigo Duterte, said that at least two to three individuals may face arrest orders soon as the ICC deepens its investigation into human rights violations that occurred during the controversial anti-drug campaign. However, he clarified that Vice President Sara Duterte is not among those currently being considered for prosecution.
“This process is far from over,” Trillanes stated. “The international community is closely watching, and we are committed to ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice.”
The potential expansion of the ICC’s case signals a continued effort to hold high-ranking officials accountable for thousands of deaths allegedly tied to extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s presidency.
Roque refuses to exit The Hague, clashes with Duterte’s lead lawyer
As the ICC proceedings continue, internal tensions have flared within Duterte’s legal camp.
Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque has refused to leave The Hague, saying he intends to stay by Duterte’s side despite mounting legal issues of his own. This defiance has fueled a growing rift between Roque and Duterte’s officially designated lead counsel, Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman.
Roque, speaking in a Facebook interview, rejected Kaufman’s claim that Duterte himself wanted Roque to stop intervening in the case. “Unless I hear it directly from Tatay Digong, I will not walk away. I made a promise not just to him, but to our fellow countrymen. I will stay until the very end,” Roque insisted.
Kaufman, however, has accused Roque of undermining the defense team and presenting himself as the only credible advocate for Duterte. He also revealed that Roque attempted to coordinate with a Dutch lawyer, who allegedly cut ties upon discovering that Roque is facing a Philippine arrest warrant over his supposed connection to an illegal offshore gaming operation.
Roque is currently facing charges of qualified trafficking filed by a trial court in Angeles City, alongside businesswoman Cassandra Ong. Despite this, Roque insists he remains committed to the former president’s defense.
The discord has even affected Duterte’s family. Honeylet Avanceña, Duterte’s long-time partner, has reportedly been denied access to visit him in ICC detention—a move some observers believe is tied to internal legal friction.
Kaufman said the former president and his inner circle are distancing themselves from Roque. “No one close to Duterte considers Roque as part of the legal strategy,” Kaufman stated, adding that Roque’s actions have caused confusion and disrupted the defense efforts.
As both the legal battles and personal conflicts unfold, the coming months are likely to bring more drama, both inside and outside the courtroom, as the ICC inches closer to a historic reckoning over one of the most controversial chapters in Philippine politics.