As the International Criminal Court (ICC) prepares for the upcoming trial of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, legal experts estimate that between 500 and 1,000 individuals may formally participate as victims. According to Kristina Conti, an assistant to counsel, this figure accounts for the fact that multiple relatives from a single household can be recognized as individual victims. The proceedings, which center on the lethal anti-drug campaign during Duterte’s tenure, allow these participants to have their perspectives represented by legal counsel without infringing on the defendant's right to a fair trial.

The trial, slated to commence on November 30, addresses allegations of crimes against humanity linked to a wave of killings between 2013 and 2018. While human rights organizations claim the anti-drug initiative resulted in as many as 30,000 deaths, the prosecution plans to build its case using 60 to 70 witnesses, including approximately 31 insiders. With charges against Duterte confirmed as of April 2026, the ICC has reopened the application process for victim participation, ensuring that those affected by the campaign have a formal voice in the pursuit of accountability.