Dueling Protests Erupt in Manila Ahead of Duterte ICC Hearing; Supporters Eye EDSA Rally on People Power Anniversary

On February 23, 2026, as the International Criminal Court (ICC) began its four-day confirmation of charges hearing against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague, dueling protests erupted in Manila. The ICC hearing, scheduled for February 23, 24, 26, and 27, addresses three charges of crimes against humanity related to Duterte's anti-drug campaign from 2013-2018, with judges expected to rule within 60 days on whether to proceed to trial. Duterte, detained in the Netherlands since his March 2025 arrest, was granted permission to skip the in-person proceedings.

In Manila, supporters of Duterte planned a motorcade protest on February 25, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution and the ICC hearings. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) confirmed these plans while also preparing for separate anti-corruption rallies organized by groups including the Trillion Peso March Movement, Tindig Pilipinas, and Akbayan party-list. The anti-corruption demonstrations were permitted at White Plains Avenue and Temple Drive with a maximum capacity of 20,000 attendees.

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Security preparations were extensive, with the NCRPO deploying approximately 13,448 personnel across Metro Manila for the EDSA anniversary commemoration and up to 10,827 police officers specifically overseeing the anti-corruption rallies. Peak alert status began on February 21, with officers stationed at strategic locations including Don Chino Roces Avenue and Ayala Bridge near Malacañang Palace, which remained a no-rally zone. Permitted groups were allowed to conduct activities from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on February 25, with restrictions on vape, cigarettes, plastic, or styrofoam use at authorized gatherings.

At the ICC proceedings, Duterte's defense team, led by attorney Nicholas Kaufman, challenged the court's jurisdiction while prosecutors presented evidence of alleged involvement in murders during Duterte's tenure as Davao City mayor (2013-2016), 14 killings of 'high-value targets' as president (2016-2017), and 43 killings in nationwide anti-drug operations (2016-2018). Human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called the hearing a crucial step for justice for victims of the drug war, which reportedly claimed thousands of lives during Duterte's presidency from 2016-2022.