PCICC Hails Conviction of Police Colonel in Duterte Drug War Case, Calls for Broader Accountability

Los Angeles, CA - The Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) on Monday welcomed the conviction of Police Colonel Dante Lubos over the killing of a drug war victim, describing it as a step forward in accountability, though stressing that justice remains “far too few and far too slow” for thousands of others killed during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-drug campaign.

The Baguio City Regional Trial Court Branch 60 found Lubos guilty of homicide and sentenced him to up to 14 years in prison for the death of Ryan Dave Almora, who was killed in a drug bust at his home in Baguio City on July 28, 2016 — just a month after Duterte assumed office.

According to PCICC, the ruling by Judge Rufus Gayo Malecdan Jr. demonstrates that the oft-used police narrative of nanlaban (fought back) cannot justify a “presumption of regularity” in police operations resulting in deaths.

The group cited the crucial role of forensic examinations by Dr. Leal and NBI agent Bacayan, which debunked claims of Almora resisting arrest. They urged courts to consistently apply forensic evidence in similar cases.

“It is sad to note that the nanlaban and presumption of regularity narratives have been and are still being used by high officials of government, giving the police and masked persons riding in tandem excuse for the killings,” the PCICC said. It added that the repetition of these narratives has served as a “tool for disinformation” to normalize killings and widen public support for Duterte’s drug war.

Despite more than 6,200 recorded deaths in police operations, convictions remain rare. The PCICC noted that rulings so far cover only a handful of cases involving at most six victims. The coalition demanded transparency on the status of other cases filed in Philippine courts so they can be monitored by civil society.

PCICC co-chairs Atty. Ray Paolo Santiago and Dr. Aurora Corazon Parong emphasized that no convictions have yet involved killings in the Visayas and Mindanao, regions where Duterte retains strong political influence.

The group also raised alarm over current government officials who allegedly continue to use their positions and public funds to propagate false narratives that justify extrajudicial killings.

“Convictions remain limited to a few cases. Families of victims continue to live in fear and are losing hope for justice in our country,” PCICC said, urging the Marcos administration to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court in prosecuting Duterte and other key officials.