BANGUED, ABRA, PHILIPPINES – DECEMBER 26, 2016 Farmer Ronel Laureta noticed a suspicious bag on the side of the road on his way to his field. When he looked inside, he saw a dead woman and immediately called the police to the scene.

Officers initially estimated the victim’s age to be between 25 and 28. Several gunshot wounds were found on her body, as well as strangulation marks on her neck. Along with her body was found a piece of cardboard on which was written “ADIK AKO”, which translates as “I am a drug addict.”

Investigators also determined from blood traces that she had been murdered elsewhere. The killers just dumped her there. While police initially could not identify the victim, it was later confirmed that she was 22-year-old Gemmalyn Bayudang Lanas.

Gemmalyn Bayudang Lanas

This case caused strong emotions among the locals because it showed all the signs of the so-called “Tokhang” executions—murders related to the anti-drug campaign of now ex-President Duterte.

Ex-President Rodrigo Duterte decided immediately after taking office to fight drugs violently. He practically gave the police the power to execute people without due process. The UN and Amnesty International duly opposed this and in 2021, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into possible crimes against humanity.

On 11 March 2025, Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila airport and transported to The Hague to face the International Criminal Court.