When the drug war ‘Pieta’ reached The Hague
The iconic "drug war Pieta" photograph, depicting a mother cradling her slain son, was presented at the International Criminal Court during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, bringing the brutal reality of the drug war to the global stage.
The iconic 'drug war Pieta' photograph by photojournalist Raffy Lerma was presented as evidence during the International Criminal Court's confirmation of charges hearing against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in late February 2026. The photograph depicts a grieving woman cradling the body of Michael Siaron, a 30-year-old pedicab driver killed in an extrajudicial killing shortly after Duterte's inauguration in 2016. The image, originally published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on July 24, 2016, became a powerful symbol of the thousands of drug war victims and was displayed during ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang's presentation on the 'culture of impunity' and systematic killings under Duterte's administration.
Raffy Lerma attended the four-day pre-trial hearing that began around February 24, 2026, and was supported by journalist Carlos Conde. When his photograph was displayed onscreen during the proceedings, Lerma averted his gaze, later explaining the emotional difficulty of seeing the image used as evidence. On February 25, 2026, Lerma spoke at an International Federation for Human Rights event in The Hague, calling for accountability and stating, 'I cannot explain everything that happened with a single photo. Michael Siaron was just one out of the thousands.'
The ICC hearing featured additional graphic photos and videos presented by prosecutors alleging Duterte's command responsibility for widespread executions dating back to his time as Davao City mayor. The evidence aimed to demonstrate a pattern of systematic killings that continued throughout his presidency. Duterte, who was detained nearby but not present in the courtroom, faced criticism from Lerma for not facing the victims' families despite previously claiming responsibility for the drug war.
During the same period, Lerma's 'Pananagutan' photo exhibit featuring images from the drug war opened in The Hague, amplifying calls for action beyond mere empathy. Duterte's defense team, including spokesperson Salvador Panelo, dismissed the photographic evidence as unproven propaganda. The hearing represented a significant moment where the brutal reality of the Philippine drug war reached the global stage through visual evidence, with the 'Pieta' photograph serving as a central symbol of the human cost of Duterte's anti-drug campaign.
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