Families of drug war victims want Duterte to stand trial

The irony isn’t lost on them: grieving families, who once feared for their own lives, now quietly hope former President Rodrigo Duterte stays well — if only to one day stand trial before the International Criminal Court for his bloody war on drugs.

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Kristina Conti, assistant to counsel at the International Criminal Court, said on Monday, July 7, that the families of victims in Duterte’s drug war are also paying attention to his condition.

“Well we’re concerned as well because we would want him alive for the trial,” she told ONE News’ Morning Matters.

This comes after Elizabeth Zimmerman, Duterte’s former wife, implied in recent statements that the former president is having difficulty adjusting to life while in the ICC’s detention facility.

Duterte has been held in ICC custody for nearly three months while waiting for his September 23 confirmation of charges hearing that will determine whether his case will proceed to trial.

OLD, WEAK NARRATIVE

In an interview with supporters, Zimmerman portrayed Duterte as thin, frail and down to “skin and bones,” mirroring the arguments made by Duterte’s lawyers, who are asking the court to allow his temporary release, citing age and health concerns.

Although she described him as a weak, aging man, she also said he’s in good health, now that he’s no longer on medication.